iEx  HtbrtH 


SEYMOUR  DURST 


When  you  leave,  please  leave  this  hook 

Because  it  has  heen  said 
" Sver'thing  comes  t'  him  who  waits 

Except  a  loaned  hook." 


OLD   YORK   LIBRARY  -  OLD   YORK  FOUNDATION 


Avery  Architectural  and  Fine  Arts  Library 
Gift 01  Seymoi  r  B.  Durst  ()i  d  York  Library 


THE 


SEVENTH  ANNUAL  REPORT 


AMERICAN  SOCIETY 


Colou^fujj  tfje  iFru  XizopU  af  Colour 


UNITED  STATES. 


WITH  AN  APPENDIX. 


WASHINGTON  : 


PRINTED  BY  DAVIS  AND  FORCE,   (FRANKLIN'S  HEAD.* 
PENNSYLVANIA  AVENUE. 


OFFICERS. 


The  Hon.  Bushrod  Washington,  President. 
Vice-Presidents. 
Hon.  William  H.  Crawford,  of  Georgia. 
Hon.  Henry  Clay,  of  Kentucky. 
Hon.  William  Philips,  of  Massachusetts. 
Hon.  Henry  Rutgers,  of  New- York. 
Hon.  John  E.  Howard,  of  Maryland. 
Hon.  John  C.  Herbert,  of  Maryland. 
Hon.  Daniel  Webster,  of  Boston. 
Isaac  M'Kim,  Esq.  of  Maryland. 
General  R.  G.  Harper,  of  Maryland. 
General  John  Hartwell  Cocke,  of  Virginia. 
General  Charles  F.  Mercer,  of  Virginia. 
Robert  Ralston,  Esq.  of  Pennsylvania. 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  White,  of  Pennsylvania. 
Jeremiah  Day,  D.  D.  of  Yale  College. 
General  John  Mason,  of  the  District  of  Columbia. 
Samuel  Bayard,  Esq.  of  New-Jersey. 
William  H.  Fitzhugh,  Esq.  of  Virginia. 

Managers, 

Francis  S.  Key,  E8q«  Rev.  "William  Hawley, 

Walter  Jones,  Esq.  Jacob  Hoffmann,  Esq. 

Rev.  Dr.  James  Laurie,      William  Thornton,  Esq. 
Rev.  Dr.  S.  B.  Balch.         Joseph  Gales,  jun.  Esq. 
Rev.  Obadiah  B.  Brown,     Colonel  Henry  Ashton. 
Rev.  Dr.  W.  H.  Wilmer, 

Eliao  B.  Caldwell,  Esq.  Secretary. 

John  Underwood,  Esq.  Recording  Sec'y. 

RicnARD  Smith,  Esq.  Treasurer. 

Ralph  Randolph  Guriey. 


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in  2013 


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COLONIZATION  SOCIETY. 


The  American  Colonization  Society  held  its 
Annual  Meeting  at  the  Supreme  Court  Room,  in 
the  Capitol,  on  Friday  evening,  20th  February, 
1824. 

[We  are  greatly  obliged  to  Mr.  A.  J.  Stansbury,  Reporter  of  the 
House  of  Representatives,  for  the  following  account  of  the  proceedings 
on  this  occasion.] 

After  the  Hon.  Bushrod  Washington  had  taken 
the  Chair,  the  Report  of  the  Board  was  read  by 
Mr.  Gurley. 

General  Robert  Goodloe  Harper  then  rose  and  offered  the 
following  resolution,  which  was  unanimously  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Society  be  presented  to 
the  Board  of  Managers,  for  their  active  and  successful  atten- 
tion to  the  affairs  of  the  Society  confided  to  their  care,  the 
prudence,  steadiness,  and  diligence,  displayed  by  them  in  all 
their  operations,  and  their  very  able  and  satisfactory  Report 
laid  before  this  meeting. 

General  Harper  then  rose  and  addressed  the  meeting  to  the 
following  effect : 
Mr.  President, 

I  will  now  call  the  attention  of  the  Society  to  a  matter  of 
some,  though  not,  perhaps,  of  very  great  importance.  It  is  to  a 
proposition  for  giving  a  name  to  our  African  Colony.  Names 
are,  at  all  times,  matters  of  convenience,  and  sometimes  of 
advantage.  Our  Colony  has  at  present  no  name.  It  is  situ- 
ated, indeed,  near  a  Cape  called  Montserado,  and  has  hitherto 
taken  its  only  designation  from  this  circumstance  ;  but  that  is 
a  name  not  appropriate  to  its  object,  a  name  that  means  no- 
thing.   In  reflecting  on  this  circumstance,  I  have  thought  of 


& 


a  name  that  is  peculiar,  short,  and  familiar,  and  that  expresses 

the  object  and  nature  of  the  establishment — it  is  the  term 

Liberia  ;  and  denotes  a  settlement  of  persons  made  /ree/for 

our  Colony  may  with  truth  be  called  the  home  and  country 

offreedmen,  in  contradistinction  to  the  slaves  of  whom  they 

once  formed  a  part.  This  name,  if  I  mistake  not,  will  be  found 

easy  and  apt ;  and  it  certainly  has  the  merit  of  being  very 
concise. 

General  Harper  then  submitted  the  following  resolution, 
which  was  unanimously  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  the  territory  and  settlement  of  the  Society, 
near  Cape  Montserado,  on  the  southwest  coast  of  Africa,  be, 
and  hereby  is,  named  LIBEPJA  ;  by  which  name  it  shall  be 
called  and  known  in  all  the  acts  and  writings  of  the  Society 
and  its  agents. 

General  Harper  again  rose  and  said, 

I  will  now  offer  another  resolution  of  a  similar  char- 
acter, but  with  a  different  object.  It  is  not  only  to  give 
a  name  to  the  principal  town  in  our  infant  settlement, 
but  at  the  same  time  to  mark  the  gratitude  of  this  Society  to 
that  venerable  and  distinguished  individual,  to  whom  it  is  more 
indebted  than  to  any  other  single  man.  It  is  perfectly  well- 
known,  that  but  for  the  favourable  use  he  has  been  pleased  to 
make  of  the  great  powers  confided  to  him,  (a  use  as  wise  as  it 
was  liberal,)  all  our  attempts  and  efforts  must  have  been 
unavailing.  No  means  that  we  possessed,  or  could  have  pro- 
cured, would  have  proved  adequate  without  his  aid.  As  an 
acknowledgment  of  gratitude  for  his  high  and  useful  services, 
I  make  the  following  motion  : 

Resolved,  That  the  town  laid  out  and  established  at  Liberia, 
shall,  in  like  manner,  be  called  and  known  by  the  name  of 
MONROVIA,  as  an  acknowledgment  of  the  important  bene- 
fits conferred  on  the  settlement  by  the  present  illustrious  chief 
magistrate  of  the  United  States. 

General  Harper  then  rose  and  addressed  the  Society  in  an 
able  and  interesting  speech  ;  of  which  the  following  very  im- 
perfect outline  has  been  preserved  : 

I  have  now  a  proposition  to  submit  of  more  important  im- 
port, and,  perhaps,  of  more  doubtful  character ;  (I  do  not 


mean  in  my  own  opinion,  for  of  its  propriety  I  entertain  n$ 
doubt ;  but  in  the  opinion  of  others. 

I  hold  it  perfectly  clear,  from  what  has  come  to  my  know- 
ledge of  the  progress  of  this,  and  all  similar  establishments, 
that  no  means  within  the  possession  of  this  or  of  any  other 
private  association,  are  adequate  to  the  attainment  of  those 
objects  which  such  an  association  ought  to  hold  in  view.    £j,  .  r 


What  are  these  objects  ?  They  are  in  the  first  place  to  aid 
ourselves,  by  relieving  us  from  a  species  of  population  preg- 
nant with  future  danger  and  present  inconvenience  ;  to  ad-  C  %%J* 
vance  the  interests  of  the  United  States  by  removing  a  great 
public  evil ;  to  promote  the  benefit  of  the  individuals  removed, 
as  well  as  of  those  of  the  same  race  that  yet  remain ;  and 
finally,  to  benefit  Africa  by  spreading  the  blessings  of  know- 
ledge and  freedom  on  a  continent  that  now  contains  150  mil- 
lions of  people,  plunged  in  all  the  degradation  of  idolatry, 
superstition,  and  ignorance.  All  these  objects  are  embraced 
in  the  vast  enterprise  in  which  we  have  engaged.  To  attain 
these  ends,  to  confer  on  the  sons  of  Africa  and  on  Africa  her- 
self, blessings  &o  great  so  invaluable  as  these,  requires  means 
beyond  the  reach  of  any  private  individuals  to  command  ;  all 
we  have  yet  done,  all  we  can  expect  to  do,  is  merely  to  pave 
the  way,  to  point  out  the  track  ;  and  in  accomplishing  this,  we 
have  derived  the  most  essential  aid  from  the  chief  Executive 
Officer  of  the  Union.  These  efforts  of  the  Society  have 
shown  that  it  is  practicable  to  transplant  Africans  from  our 
shores  to  those  of  their  native  continent,  and  that  when  thus 
transferred,  they  are  capable  of  enjoying  freedom,  civilization, 
and  Christianity.  A  few  hundreds,  at  the  utmost,  a  thousand 
colonists,  might  be  within  the  reach  of  our  efforts  ;  by  such 
an  experiment  we  shall  demonstrate  this,  and  essentially  be- 
nefit the  individuals  j  but  farther  we  cannot,  by  our  own  ex- 
ertions, hope  to  go. 

In  the  mean  while,  there  exists  among  us  a  great  social  evil  . 
a  cancer  on  the  body  politic,  that  is  gradually  eating  its  way  to 
the  vitals  of  the  state  : — It  is  at  work  while  we  sleep  and 
when  we  wake — and  it  will  continue.,  if  not  speedily  arrested. 


3 


to  pervade  and  corrode,  till  at  length  it  has  destroyed, 
the  entire  mass  of  our  social  strength  and  happiness.  It 
can't  be  touched  by  us  ;  it  needs  a  far  mightier  hand.  The 
removal  of  a  few  thousand  individuals  will,  in  an  evil  of  such 
magnitude,  produce  but  little  effect— -it  will  not  even  material- 
ly benefitthis  class  of  population  themselves;  for  it  consists  of 
more  than  a  million  and  a  half  of  persons — and  though  3  or 
400,000  already  free  should  be  removed,  the  great  political 
mischief  among  us  would  be  but  slightly  affected.  And  though 
the  benefits  derived  to  Africa  from  such  an  increase  of  'he 
Colony  would  not  be  unimportant,  yet  would  they  be  small  in 
comparison  with  those  which  the  country  may  expect,  from 
the  complete  eradication  of  this  evil. 

How  then  is  that  more  extensive  operation  which  alone 
can  complete  the  scope  of  our  design  to  be  ultimately,  or 
ever,  accomplished  ?  How  is  this  vast  mass  of  a  vicious  po- 
pulation to  be  safely  withdrawn  from  among  us,  and  with  jus- 
tice to  those  more  immediately  interested  in  their  present  con- 
dition ?  Their  removal  must  have  three  qualifying  circum- 
stances. First,  it  must  be  gradual,  for  if  attempted  suddenly, 
avoid  would  be  occasioned  by  the  precipitate  subduction of 
so  great  an  amount  of  effective  labour,  that  would  threaten  the 
most  serious  inconvenience,  if  not  great  calamity.  In  the  se- 
cond place,  it  must  be  done  with  their  own  consent ;  for  to 
think  of  doing  it  without,  seems  equally  against  reason,  justice, 
and  the  dictates  ©f  religion.  And  in  the  third  place,  it  must 
be  done  with  the  consent  of  those  who  have  an  interest  in 
their  labour — to  no  other  idea  would  I  ever  yield  my  appro- 
bation or  consent.  Now,  to  accomplish  the  object  we  desire 
on  the  three  conditions  I  have  stated,  most  evidently  requires 
national  means.  These  means  ought  to  be  applied  ;  the  object 
is  national,  in  its  character,  and  in  its  consequences. 

If  a  hostile  army  threatened  to  invade  any  portion  of  these 
United  States,  would  it  not  afford  a  legitimate  employment  for 
the  army  and  the  fleet?  Whether  it  were  New-Orleans  or 
Eastport  that  were  threatened,  would  make  no  difference  in 
the  question— the  object  would  still  be  national,  and  the  na- 


9 


tional  force  would  be  called  forth  to  meet  it.    I  ask  then  whe- 
ther the  existence  itself,  of  one  or  more  of  the  States,  is  not 
a  national  object  ?    And  whether  an  evil  threatening  that 
existence  is  not  a  national  evil  ?    I  need  not  prove  it — to  those 
who  reflect  at  all,  it  cannot  but  be  self-evident.    To  the  na- 
tional government  then  let  us  address  ourselves.  The  object  on 
which  we  address  them  is  national  in  its  magnitude,  as  well  as 
in  its  consequences,  both  for  good  and  evil — (chiefly  for  evil.) 
To  have  applied  before,  would  have  been  premature — to  such 
an  application  it  might,  and  probably  would  have  been  repli- 
ed.— "  Shew  us  that  your  objectfis  feasible  ;  convince  us  that 
the  thing  can  be  done,"  and  such  an  answer  would,  I  think, 
have  been  a  wise  and  solid  one.    But  now  it  cannot  be  made. 
The  thing  not  only  can  be  done,  but  has  been  done.  A  colony 
is  actually  established,  in  a  healthy  situation  ;  peace  has  been 
secured  ;  the  means  of  supply  and  of  sustenance  are  provid- 
ed ;  all  is  done  that  needs  to  be  done  to  complete  the  experi- 
ment, and  to  prove  the  practicat»ility  of  the  plan  proposed. — 
Now  we  can  go  to  the  government  with  solid  argument  to 
support  us,  and  appeal  to  their  good  sense  as  well  as  to  their 
patriotism. 

Gen.  Harped  then  submitted  the  following  resolution  : 

Resolved,  That  a  respectful  memorial  be  presented  to  Con- 
gress, on  the  part  of  this  Society,  bating  the  progress  that  has 
been  made  in  establishing  a  colony  of  free  people  of  colour  at 
Liberia,  on  the  south-west  coast  of  Africa,  the  difficulties  that 
have  been  surmounted  in  the  progress  of  this  establishment, 
its  present  situation,  its  prospects  of  ultimate  success,  and  the 
benefits  which  it  m;iy  be  expected  to  produce  ;  and  praying 
for  aid  from  the  national  government,  in  the  further  prosecu- 
tion of  this  great  national  undertaking. 

General  Charles  Fenton  xMercer  rose  in  reply. 

He  had  listened,  he  said,  with  great  pleasure  to  the  remarks 
of  his  eloquent  friend  ;  and  he  did  not  now  rise  for  the  pur- 
pose of  opposing  the  adoption  of  the  resolution  he  had  propo- 
sed to  the  Society,  but  only  to  remark  on  some  of  the  intro- 
ductory observations  by  which  he  had  supported  it.  At  a 
former  meeting  of  the  Society  in  this  city,  a  resolution  had 
B 


JO 


been  brought  forward  of  a  similar  kind.  I  doubted,  said  Ge- 
neral M.  its  policy  at  that  time,  on  a  belief  that  our  affaire 
uere  not  yet  ripe  for  such  a  measure.  At  the  first  organiza- 
tion of  the  Society,  its  sanguine  friends  were  agreed  in  the 
opinion,  that  its  success  must  depend  chiefly  on  public  opinion. 
The  advocates  of  the  plan  might  be  charged  with  enthusiasm, 
which,  in  matters  either  of  religion  or  of  liberty,  is  apt  to 
make  men  ready  to  believe  almost  whatever  they  wished, 
and  to  anticipate  success  as  if  it  were  to  be  produced  by  mi- 
racles. To  repel  this  idea  ,it  was  agreed  by  all  that  the  steps 
of  the  Society  must  be  marked  with  the  utmost  caution  and 
prudence  ;  that  in  its  acts  might  be  found  the  best  and  most 
convenient  answer  to  such  an  objection.  It  is  now  but  seven 
years  since  the  enterprise  has  assumed  a  public  form  ;  though 
it  is  as  much  as  twenty  years  since  in  my  parent  state  such 
a  measure  was  first  suggested.  It  was  then  discussed  in  secret 
council,  and  revolved  only  in  the  inmost  meditations  of  a  few 
distinguished  men.  Seven  years  ago  the  intelligence  of  the  fact 
that  such  a  plan  was  maturing,  broke  in  upon  my  own  mind,  and 
brought  with  it  the  first  ray  of  light  upon  a  subject  which  it  had 
been  long  and  deeply,  but  almost  hopelessly,  pondering.  After 
contemplating  the  evil  tn  every  various  point  of  view,  the  result 
was  that  it  was  irremediable.  This  plan  brought  to  me  the  first 
gleam  of  hope.  It  was  not  without  difficulty  that  the  Virginia 
Legislature  determined  to  make  public  those  councils  ;  and 
since  the  promulgation  of  them  the  plan  had  had  to  encounter 
the  most  serious  ditficulties  in  public  opinion.  Nor  is  this  at 
ail  surprising.  The  plan  itself  is  imperfectly  known  or  un- 
derstood ;  in  those  parts  of  the  Union  remote  from  the  slave 
holding  states,  we  have  few  auxiliary  societies,  and  the  sub- 
ject is  little  discussed.  And  though  our  progress  has  been 
more  rapid  of  late,  even  now  the  means  we  possess,  when 
compared  with  the  population  on  which  an  influence  has 
been  attempted,  are  small,  and  I  apprehend  that  we  overrate 
the  amount  of  our  moral  influence  in  society,  when  we  in- 
dulge the  supposition  that  our  system  is  at  present  ripe  for 
'he  measure  proposed.  We  shall  still  be  met  with  the  charge 


11 


of  enthusiasm ;  and  the  objection  has  already  been  expressed 
by  a  Senator  of  the  United  States,  that  our  object  is  grasped 
by  feeble  hands,  wholly  inadequate  to  sustain  or  to  wield  it. 
The  objection  is  valid,  if  we  alone  are  to  make  the  attempt, 
or  if  it  is  to  be  attempted  at  all  without  the  strength  of  the 
whole  republic.  And  the  question  now  presented  is,  whether 
we  have  so  far  conciliated  public  opinion  as  to  render  it  safe 
to  make  an  appeal  to  the  government ;  ours  is  emphatically  a 
government  of  public  opinion.  We  shall  have  to  encounter 
that  reluctance  which  is  always  felt  towards  embarking  in 
new  and  untried  enterprises  :  our  effort  contemplates  great 
objects  ;  it  looks  at  the  colonization  of  those  who  go  from 
our  own  shores,  and  the  civilization  of  the  native  Africans. 
Reason  shrinks  appalled  at  the  magnitude  of  the  undertaking, 
and  it  will  be  attributed  rather  to  the  ardent  wishes  of  our 
hearts,  than  the  cool  determination  of  our  understandings,  un- 
less we  mark  our  every  movement  with  extreme  caution. 

So  far  we  have  lost  nothing,  not  even  time  ;  for  while  the 
Colony  has  been  gradually  making  progress,  we  have  been 
occupied  in  exertions  in  our  own  country.  If  those  exertion* 
had  so.far  succeeded  as  to  bring  the  subject  into  discussion  in 
every  state  of  the  Union,  I  should  think  we  ought  to  apply  to 
Congress  with  a  hope  of  success  ;  but  I  fear  that  we  shall 
meet  with  difficulties  in  that  body  from  prejudice,  from  the 
power  of  habit,  and  from  constitutional  difficulties  as  to  the 
power  of  appropriation.  On  these  accounts  I  should  iiave 
preferred  delay,  till  the  legislatures  of  the  several  states  had 
strengthened  our  application  by  memorials  on  the  subject. 

Still,  however,  we  have  obtained  some.  The  Legislatures 
of  Georgia,  of  Tennessee,  of  Maryland,  and  Virginia,  have 
expressed  sentiments  favourable  to  our  general  object,  and 
Ohio  goes  the  full  length  of  the  resolution  now  on  the  table. 
But  this  is  only  a  small  portion  of  twenty  four  states.  I  am 
not  disposed,  however,  to  oppose  the  resolution,  but  I  doubt 
its  policy. 

I  did  hope  the  Managers  would,  ere  this  time,  have  ascer- 
tained the  temper  of  the  present  Congress  on  this  subject 


12 


If  this  has  been  done,  and  we  have  any  reasonable  hope  of 
success,  I  should  then  think  we  had  better  present  our  memo- 
rial ;  but  I  am  unwilling  that  it  should  be  presented  and  fail. 

I  entirely  concur  with  my  friend  in  the  encomium  he  has 
pronounced  on  our  venerable  Chief  Magistrate  for  the  firm 
and  patriotic  efforts  by  which  he  has  advanced  the  design  in 
which  we  are  engaged.  It  is  known  to  all  the  members  of 
the  Society,  that  $  100,000  were  appropriated  three  years 
since,  and  30  or  40,000  have  been  since  applied  to  an  object 
affiliated  to  our  design,  and  essentially,  though  collaterally, 
contributing  to  its  advancement ;  the  sending  out  of  Agents  of 
the  United  States  to  the  African  coast,  and  the  transportation 
of  persons  in  the  public  ships.  By  these  means  we  have  ob- 
tained, in  fact,  all  we  could  have  expected  to  obtain,  had 
Congress  decided  to  aid  our  enterprise  ;  nor  has  this  been 
done  by  any  perversion  of  his  powers.  It  has  been  done 
avowedly  and  in  good  faith.  The  Executive  apprized  Con- 
gress of  his  construction  of  the  powers  confided  to  him,  and 
that  body  tacitly  assented  to  the  construction.  And  I  am  not 
sure  that  it  will  be  good  policy  to  ask  Congress  for  aid  in  a 
direct  form,  when  we  aie  already  sure  of  receiving  it  from  a 
collateral  source.  We  may,  in  the  mean  while,  expect  to  re- 
ceive aid  from  each  of  the  State  Legislatures,  in  relation  to  the 
black  population  within  the  bounds  of  such  state. 

I  only  differ  from  my  highly  respectable  friend  in  point  of 
time.  The  policy  is  American  throughout,  for  whatever  re- 
lieves the  south  aids  the  north;  the  strength  of  the  south 
would  be  more  available  in  time  of  war  ;  and  in  peace,  a  free- 
man is  always  better  than  a  slave.  The  north,  whatever  she 
may  think,  or  however  she  may  feel,  has  a  deep  interest  in 
the  emancipation  and  the  colonization  of  the  slave  population 
of  the  southern  states.  I  make  these  remarks  in  reply  to  the 
argument  of  selfishness,  which  is  sometimes  brought  in  bar  of 
the  claims  of  this  society  to  northern  patronage  ;  for  we  have 
been  charged  with  wishing  only  to  remove  our  free  blacks, 
that  we  may  the  more  effectually  rivet  the  chains  of  the  slave. 
But  the  class  we  first  seek  to  remove,  are  neither  freemen  nor 
slaves  ;  but  between  both,  and  more  miserable  than  either. 


13 


George  Washington  Park  Custis,  Esq.  then  rose,  and  said 
that  he  would  do  himself  the  honour  of  seconding  the  motion 
made  by  his  honourable  friend.  Mr.  Custis  supported  the 
adoption  of  the  proposed  measure  of  applying  for  aid  to  the 
General  Government  in  a  speech  replete  with  impressive  ima- 
ger)r,  but  of  which  our  limits  will  admit  us  to  present  only  a 
very  summary  view.  He  observed  that  the  early  history  of 
every  attempt  at  Colonization  had  been  uniformly  marked 
with  disaster,  as  if  it  were  the  will  of  heaven  that  all  great  and 
novel  enterprises  should  be  attended  with  difficulty  in  their 
outset,  to  shew  how  those  difficulties  could  sink  before  labour 
and  virtue.  The  cau«e  of  this  Society  had  virtue  on  its 
side  ;  the  object  it  sought  to  achieve  was  an  act  of  retributive 
justice.  The  race  it  sought  to  benefit  had  been  torn  by  tho 
white  man  from  their  home  and  native  land,  and  condemned 
without  a  provocation  to  toil  and  servitude  ;  and  now  we  were 
endeavouring,  by  restoring  to  the  land  of  their  nativity  to  re- 
medy, so  far  as  remained  in  our  power,  the  evil  of  our  forefa- 
thers. With  such  an  object  to  plead  for,  he  would  go  to  the 
great  council  of  the  nation  as  the  guardians  of  American  liber- 
ty, the  conservators  of  the  public  morals  :  and  he  would  tell 
them  "  You  are  the  last  of  Republics  ;  you  boast  that  this  is 
the  seat  of  freedom,  of  justice,  of  honour,  of  high  and  magnani- 
mous feeling.  The  evil  we  would  remedy  is  none  of  ours,  it 
was  done  before  we  were  born,  and  it  is  left  for  us  to  undo. — 
Lend  us  your  aid  to  strike  the  fetters  from  the  slave,  and  to 
spread  the  enjoyment  of  unfettered  freedom  over  the  whole  of 
our  favoured  and  happy  land." 

Mr.  Custis  then  made  some  remarks  in  reply  to  what  had 
fallen  from  Gen.  Mercer,  respecting  the  prejudices  which  still 
existed  in  northern  sections  of  the  Union,  in  relation  to  the 
character  and  designs  of  the  Society  ;  and  contended  that  it 
was  not  possible  that  such  a  feeling  could  long  continue. 

They  have  not  forgotten  that  southern  men  were  at  their 
side  when  they  braved  the  Canadian  snows,  and  scaled  the  icy 
bulwarks  of  Quebec.  Then  we  were  only  confederated  states, 
now  we  are  one  nation,  one  family.    He  passed  a  warm  enco- 


14 


mium  upon  the  northern  character,  and  felicitated  the  people 
of  that  part  of  the  Union  on  their  distinguished  blessings  and 
happy  condition.  But  would  they  not  dispense  these  bless- 
ings ?  Did  they  not  feel  for  the  condition  of  the  south,  so  op- 
posite in  many  respects  to  their  own  ?  Could  they  forget  the 
heights  of  Cambridge,  where  they  saw  the  hunting-shirt  of  the 
south  coining  up  to  their  aid,  and  heard  the  voice  of  their 
brethren  hailing  the  spark  of  freedom  that  northern  hands  had 
kindled,  and  crying  out — "  Go  on,  we  are  coming  to  support 
you  !" 

Mr.  Custis  anticipated  with  exaltation  the  results  that  would 
follow  the  success  of  the  Society's  efforts  in  removing  this 
wretched  population  from  the  American  soil,  and  restoring 
them  to  the  land  of  their  forefathers.  When  the  bark  that 
bore  them  approached  the  African  shore,  it  would  not  be 
hailed  with  such  shouts  as  welcomed  Columbus  when  he 
bore  to  the  people  of  the  Western  Archipelago  the  emblem 
of  the  cross — an  emblem  that  appeared  only  to  both  nations 
in  each  others  blood.  WTe  sent  them  the  star  spangled  ban- 
ner, that  constellation  whose  rising  lighted  the  world  to  free- 
dom. When  that  banner  shall  float  over  their  corn-clad  hills 
and  plains,  waving  in  harvest,  they  will  not  think  of  Cortes 
or  Pizarro — the  name  of  America  will  be  hailed  with  enthusi- 
asm by  millions  on  that  vast  continent  that  are  now  unborn. 
He  called  the  society  to  remember  the  first  colonization  of 
this  country.  A  feeble  little  vessel  bore  the  adventurous 
band,  but  virtue  and  religion  led  the  way  ;  the  genius  of  philo- 
sophy was  perched  upon  the  helm.  Now  we  are  become  a 
great  nation  ;  should  we  not  pity  others  ? 

In  his  remarks  upon  the  unhappy  situation  of  the  planters, 
Mr.  C.  said,  that  what  he^poke,  he  spoke  not  from  specula- 
tion ;  he  brought  not  the  dreams  of  others,  but  his  own  experi- 
ence ;  touching  all  those  evils,  he  might  with  truth  say — 
Quorum  magna  pars  fuu 

He  had  lived  to  see,  and  painfully  to  feel,  the  errors  of  the 
system.  His  great  hope  lay  in  the  magnanimity  of  those  who 
were  happily  free  from  that  system,  and  who,  when  they  un- 


15 


derstood  and  became  convinced  of  the  feelings  and  desires  ot 
the  men  of  the  south  for  its  entire  removal,  and  saw  a  plan  for 
that  removal  that  presented  a  feasible  prospect  of  success, 
would  not,  could  not,  refuse  their  aid  to  carry  it  into  effect. 
The  nation  possessed  the  power  to  effect  it.  The  Republic 
was  not  now  feeble  and  panting  from  the  mighty  effort  of  its 
newly  accomplished  emancipation  ;  it  had  had  time  to  breathe, 
to  recruit  its  strength,  to  be  refreshed,  and  to  prepare  itself 
for  new  exertions  in  the  cause  of  light  and  liberty,  and  human 
happinecs.  On  the  subject  of  this  enterprise,  the  nation  has 
been  as  if  in  a  deep  sleep  ;  but  when  a  lion  slept,  it  was  not 
the  time  to  form  conjectures  on  his  power;  would  you  see  his 
strength,  you  must  rouse  him  up  from  his  lare.  With  respect, 
to  the  American  Republic,  she  had  only  to  awake,  she  had 
but  to 

"  Stretch  her  hand — 
She  heav'd  the  gods  the  ocean  of  the  land." 

What  had  she  not  already  achieved  ?  If  she  could  only  be 
brought  to  think  upon  this  subject,  and  once  to  turn  her 
strength  to  its  accomplishment,  all  difficulties  would  vanish 
before  her  way.  The  national  genius,  like  the  tube  of  Her- 
cchell,  will  discover  satellites  and  suns  that  none  believed  had 
place  within  the  starry  sphere. 

Mr.  Custis  urged  the  Society  to  persevere  in  its  attempt  up- 
on the  coast,  undismayed  by  any  discouragements.  They  may 
destroy  our  huts  ;  they  may  overwhelm  us  with  numbers  ;  our 
bones  may  be  scattered  on  the  shore,  but  still  we  must  perse- 
vere ;  still  let  Columbia's  flag  be  seen  upon  the  coast,  so  long 
as  we  can  hold  but  au  inch  of  ground.  Though  we  may  be 
again  and  again  cast  down,  still  let  us  rise  like  Anteous  from  the 
ground,  with  strength  renewed  and  invigorated  by  every  re- 
pulse. He  said  he  was  a  late  convert  to  this  cause  ;  but  be 
had  learned  from  the  highest  authority,  that  there  was  more 
joy  over  one  that  repented,  than  over  ninety  and  nine  persons 
who  needed  no  repentance.  He  trusted  the  Society  would 
continue  its  course  under  the  same  wise  and  able  direction 
that  had  hitherto  guided  it.    Light  appeared  in  the  horizon  : 


16 


a  triumph  was  before  this  Society  such  as  the  wisest  man 
might  envy,  and  the  most  virtuous  man  long  to  realize.  They 
would  triumph,  not  as  conquerors,  binding  bleeding  nations  to 
their  chariot  wheels  ;  but  as  liberators,  who  came  not  to  des- 
troy but  to  save.  Their  triumph  would  not  be  like  that  of 
I'ompey  for  three  nations  subdued  ;  whose  train  was  filled 
with  the  groaning  of  captives  in  chains  :  their  march  would  be 
surrounded  by  the  songs  of  the  grateful,  the  blessings  of  the 
free  ;  their  triumph  would  be  recorded  in  two  hemispheres, 
and  its  lasting  memorial  would  be  written  in  heaven. 

Gen.  Harper  replied,  although  his  very  able  friend  was  not 
absolutely  in  opposition,  he  had  suggested  strong  objections, 
deserving  serious  consideration.  If  we  are  defeated  again 
and  again  in  our  addresses  to  the  Legislature,  this  should  not 
damp  our  ardour,  but  give  new  courage  for  new  attacks.  It 
is  not  whether  puplic  opinion  is  ready  for  this  measure,  but 
are  we  ready  ?  If  so,  aid  may  be  claimed  in  our  behalf :  let 
us  go  to  the  Legislature  and  appeal  to  their  good  sense,  rouse 
their  feelings,  awaken  their  patriotism,  soften  their  hearts., 
and  enlighten  their  understandings. 

It  is  said  there  is  no  government  for  the  colony,  therefore  thi? 
measure  is  premature.  This  is  a  reason  with  me  for  making 
the  application.  The  Legislature  of  the  United  States  only 
can  form  a  Government ;  I  hope  they  will  do  it ;  I  think  they 
ought  to  do  it.  They  can  create  what  now  does  not  exist. 
Thus  far,  the  Government  has  been  only  by  consent  and  mu- 
tual understanding  :  a  generous  assumption  of  authority  for  be- 
neficial purposes.  Numerous  applications  to  Congress  may  be 
necessary.  The  sooner  they  begin  to  be  made,  the  sooner  will 
they  be  acted  on.  I  do  not  wish  to  see  in  Africa  a  colonial 
government,  permanently  attached  to  the  United  States.  I  do 
not  wish  for  colonies  to  be  held  for  use  and  made  subservient : 
but  I  wish  to  see  the  paternal  arm  of  authority  stretched  out 
for  the  protection  of  this  colony,  until  it  shall  be  able  to  man- 
age its  own  affairs,  legislative,  judicial,  and  executive. 

This  state  of  things  cannot  exist  immediately.  We  hope  it 
will  soon.    The  authority  now  required  is  temporary  to  fit 


17 


the  colony  for  perfect  political  independence.  Such  autho- 
rity may  be  exerted.  How  soon  Congress  may  think  proper 
to  establish  a  government  for  the  colony  is  unknown  :  the 
sooner  it  is  done  the  better.  But  Congress,  it  is  said,  will  object 
to  measures  which  may  incur  expense.  There  is  in  this  body, 
it  is  said,  a  dread  of  taxation,  and  aid  will  be  refused  on  the 
ground  of  economy.  These  difficulties  are  inherentin  the  very 
nature  of  our  object.  They  arise  from  the  character  of  our 
government  and  people.  They  must  be  met  at  some  time  :  the 
sooner  we  commence,  the  sooner  shall  we  overcome  them.  If 
©ur  journey  is  long,  we  should  set  out  the  sooner. 

It  is  said  we  must  seek  aid  from  the  states — granted.  They 
are  called  upon  by  the  most  powerful  motives  to  activity  and 
energy  in  the  cause.  But  has  not  the  nation  an  interest  in 
our  object  as  well  as  the  states  ?  Let  us  go  to  all  the  states  ; 
but  not  exclude  the  national  government.  There  is  scope  for 
all  united.  There  is  avast  national  object  to  be  attained.  I 
heartily  concur  in  the  opinion,  that  we  should  apply  to  the 
states.  But  by  addressing  Congress,  we  shall  prepare  the 
way  for  such  application.  We  ought  to  explain  our  views 
and  plan  soon  and  fully  ;  so  that  they  may  be  seen  and  under- 
stood by  the  nation.  The  sooner  and  the  more  fully  this  is 
done  the  better  ;  and  in  no  way  can  it  be  so  well  done,  as  by 
an  application  to  Congress,  and  the  discussions  to  which  it 
will  give  rise.  Thus  our  light,  instead  of  remaining  hid  un- 
der a  bushel,  will  be  placed  on  high,  and  seen  by  the  nation. 

W.  Jones,  Esq.  made  some  remarks  concerning  the  difficulty 
of  the  subject  under  discussion,  and  proposed  the  following 
resolution,  which  was  adopted. 

Resolved,  That  the  resolution  just  offered  be  referred  to  a 
committee  of  five,  who  shall  be  instructed  to  inquire  into  the 
expediency  of  an  immediate  application  to  Congress,  and  the 
nature  and  extent  of  the  aid  to  be  asked  for  ;  and,  that  the  said 
committee  report  the  result  of  its  inquiries  to  an  adjourned 
meeting  of  this  Society,  on  Friday,  5th  March  next. 

The  committee  appointed  under  this  resolution  were — 
Gen.  R.  G.  Harper,  W.  Jones,  Esq.  Wm.  H.  Fitzhugh,  Esq. 
Gen.  C.  F.  Mercer,  Gen.  John  Mason. 
C 


On  motion  by  Gr.  W.  P.  Custis,  Esq.  Resolved,  That  thi* 
meeting  consider  the  important  services  rendered  to  the  Afri- 
can Colony  when  in  circumstances  of  great  distress,  by  Capt. 
Robert  Traill  Spence,  and  the  officers  and  crew  of  the  U.  S. 
ship  Cyane,  services  which  were  performed  by  them  at  the 
hazard  of  their  lives,  as  entitling  them  to  the  gratitude  and  re- 
spect of  all  the  friends  of  mankind. 

On  motion  of  Gen.  C.  F.  Mercer,  Resolved,  That  this 
meeting  recommend  to  their  friends  the  formation,  as  soon  as 
practicable,  of  an  Auxiliary  State  Society,  in  the  principal 
city  of  each  state  in  the  Union,  and  the  establishment  of 
Societies  subordinate  to  these,  in  each  county  or  town  of  the 
several  states. 

On  motion  of  Rev.  Wm.  Hawley,  Resolved,  That  this  So- 
ciety deeply  lament  the  untimely  death  of  Lieutenant  Rich- 
ard Dashiell,  Commandant  of  the  United  States'  schooner 
Augusta,  whose  piety  and  zeal  in  behalf  of  religion,  and  of 
the  interest  and  prosperity  of  this  Society,  entitle  his  memory 
to  be  cherished  with  the  most  affectionate  regard,  by  all  the 
friends  of  this  institution. 

On  motion  of  Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley,  Resolved,  That  this  So- 
ciety is  deeply  sensible  of  its  great  obligations  to  Captain 
Laing,  Captain  M'Coy,  Captain  Woolrige,  Lieutenant  Roth- 
eray,  and  those  other  officers  in  the  service  of  his  Britannic 
Majesty,  who,  during  the  recent  contest  between  the  Ameri- 
can colony  and  the  native  tribes,  contributed  very  important 
aid  to  our  infant  settlement. 

On  motion  of  Rev.  Luther  Rice,  Resolved,  That  this  meet- 
ing are  truly  sensible  of  the  great  generosity  and  disinterest- 
edness of  Mr.  R.  Seton,  who,  in  a  time  of  distress,  offered  his 
services  to  the  colony,  and  that  they  deeply  lament  his  death. 

On  motion  of  Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley,  Resolved,  That  this  meet- 
ing consider  the  conduct  of  Midshipman  Gordon,  and  his  brave 
companions,  of  his  Britannic  Majesty's  schooner  Driver,  who, 
when  the  colony  was  in  a  condition  of  great  peril,  offered 
their  services  for  its  defence,  most  of  whom  sacrificed  their 
lives  for  its  benefit,  as  most  magnanimous,  and  entitling  their 
memory  to  a  grateful,  sacred,  and  perpetual  regard. 

On  motion  of  Gen.  John  Mason,  Resolved,  That  the  able  ser- 
vices of  Dr.  Eli  Ayres,  the  Agent  of  the  Society  in  the  African 
colony,  have  entitled  him  to  the  gratitude,  confidence,  and  es- 
teem, of  this  meeting,  and  of  all  the  friends  of  the  objects  it 
has  in  view. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  Officers  of  the  Society  elect- 
ed at  the  last  annual  meeting,  be  continued  for  the  ensuing  year. 

Resolved,  That  the  Society  now  adjourn,  to  meet  again  at 
the  same  place,  on  Friday,  5th  March  next, 


REPORT. 


With  the  warmest  gratitude  and  invigorated 
hope,  the  Board  record  the  events  connected  with 
their  institution  during  the  past  year. 

Aware  of  the  exposed  and  suffering  condition  of 
the  colony,  the  Managers  proceeded,  immediately 
after  the  publication  of  their  last  Report,  notwith- 
standing the  unfavourable  season,  to  select  emigrants 
and  obtain  supplies  for  an  expedition.  Efforts 
had  been  previously,  but  unsuccessfully  made,  to 
accomplish  this  object,  and  the  delay  was  occasioned 
by  circumstances  which  the  Board  could  not  con- 
trol. Dr.  Ayres,  whose  previous  exertions  as  the 
government  agent  had  been  so  important,  consented 
to  return  ;  sixty-one  coloured  persons  were  received 
as  colonists,  and  the  brig  Oswego,  Capt.  Wightman, 
was  chartered,  to  convey  this  reinforcement,  with 
its  stores,  to  Africa.  At  this  crisis,  most  alarming 
intelligence  was  received  from  the  Colony. 

In  the  hope  of  relieving  themselves  from  strangers 
whose  operations  began  to  excite  apprehension,  and 
of  pillaging  their  dwellings,  all  the  tribes  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  Cape  had  combined  for  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  settlement,  and,  strengthened  by  numer- 
ous mercenary  warriours  from  the  interiour,  had  pro- 
ceeded to  violent  and  repeated  attacks.  Though 
the  whole  military  force  of  the  Colony  did  not  at 


20 


this  time  exceed  thirty  men,  yet  their  favourable  po- 
sition, superior  arms  and  skill,  and  valorous  spirit 
enabled  them  to  repel,  on  the  8th  of  November, 
800  of  the  natives,  and  on  the  1st  of  December, 
according  to  the  estimation  of  the  Agent,  nearly 
double  this  number,  with  a  loss  of  only  four  killed 
and  three  wounded. 

The  same  letters  which  informed  the  Board  of 
this  unfortunate  contest,  announced  the  cessation  of 
hostilities,  in  consequence  of  the  consent  of  the  na- 
tives, to  refer  all  matters  of  difference  to  the  Gov- 
ernor of  Sierra  Leone.  Though  the  intelligent  and 
manly  resistence  of  the  settlers  contributed  in  no 
small  degree  to  discourage  the  assailants,  yet  for  the 
truce  just  mentioned,  the  Colony  wTas  principally 
indebted  to  the  kind  interference  of  several  British 
'  naval  officers,  particularly  to  that  of  Capt.  Laing, 
the  celebrated  African  traveller,  whose  familiar  ac- 
quaintance with  the  native  character  gave  facility 
and  advantage  to  his  negotiations.* 

Though  this  information  was  received  only  a  few 
days  before  the  departure  of  the  Oswego,  and  when 
the  colonists  were  already  assembled  for  embarka- 
tion, yet  duty  as  well  as  policy  demanded,  that  it 
should  not  be  concealed;  that  those  who  were 
about  to  link  all  their  temporal  interests  with  the 
destinies  of  the  establishment  in  Africa,  should  not 
be  left  ignorant  of  its  condition  and  prospects.  A 
full  statement  was  therefore  made  to  them  of  all  the 
facts  just  related ;  they  were  told  that  before  them 

*  Appendix,  papers  marked  A. 


21 


were  trials,  perhaps  death:  that  a  Colony  could  sur- 
vive in  Africa  only  through  the  efforts  of  energetic, 
patient,  and  fearless  men ;  that  regrets  would  be  too 
late  when  they  were  landed  on  a  distant  shore  ;  that 
they  were  now  at  full  liberty  to  remain  in  this  coun- 
try ;  yet  the  Board  record  it  with  pleasure,  as  an 
honourable  instance  of  resolution,  that  no  change 
was  expressed  in  the  purpose  of  a  single  individual, 
The  Oswego  sailed  from  Baltimore  on  the  16th  of 
April,  and  arrived  at  Cape  Montserado  on  the  24th 
of  May.  The  joy  excited  at  the  Colony  by  this 
event  cannot  be  described.  Unfortunately,  the  war, 
and  subsequent  attention  to  works  of  defence,  had 
prevented  any  due  preparation  for  the  reception  of 
emigrants,  and  though  this  circumstance,  at  any 
season,  must  have  occasioned  deep  regret,  at  the 
commencement  of  the  rains  it  was  peculiarly  dis- 
tressing. A  fever  soon  commenced,  and  spread  w  it li 
great  rapidity  amongst  the  new  colonists.  This 
was  not  unexpected  ;  and  considering  the  previous 
exertions  of  these  people  to  unload  the  ship,  theit 
wretched  accommodations,  their  early  deprivation 
of  the  personal  attentions  of  Dr.  Ay  res,  who  was 
among  the  first  seized  by  the  disease ;  the  occur- 
rence of  eight  deaths,  furnishes  in  the  view  of  the 
Board,  no  reason  for  change  in  the  opinion  which 
they  have  entertained  of  the  African  climate.  Let 
it  be  remembered,  that  this  fever  has  been  generally 
mild,  and  that  it  has  appeared  in  no  instance  among 
those  who  have  resided  one  year  at  the  Colony.  A 
tropical  climate  is  always  trying  for  a  short  season, 


22 


to  foreign  constitutions,  and  the  air  of  Montserado 
is,  the  Board  are  well  convinced,  pregnant  with  no 
danger,  which  is  not  annually  encountered  by  thou- 
sands, who  emigrate  to  the  West  Indies,  or  to  the 
low  lands  of  our  southern  states. 

Nothing,  surely,  can  be  more  unphilosophical, 
than  to  attribute  an  effect  to  one  cause  rather  than 
to  another,  when  various  causes  exist,  any  one  of 
which  may,  with  the  same  probability,  have  produc- 
ed it,  or  to  consider  an  effect  as  resulting  from  one 
only  of  several  existing  causes,  which  is  most  fre- 
quently produced  by  their  combined  power.  Every 
intelligent  and  candid  man  must  perceive,  that  the 
mortality  among  the  colonists  in  Africa,  may  be  im- 
puted to  other  single  causes  with  no  less  propriety 
than  to  the  influence  of  climate,  and  that  to  consider 
the  climate  as  alone  efficient  in  the  production  of  this 
mortality,  would  be,  to  leave  unnoticed  circum- 
stances, which  all  history  will  show,  have  in  their 
simultaneous  agency  excited  diseases  destructive  to 
human  life.  One  half  the  emigrants  who  landed 
at  Plymouth,  in  the  winter  of  1620,  died  before 
spring.  Did  this  fact  furnish  ground  for  the  con- 
clusion that  the  settlement  of  New-England  was 
impracticable?  The  affirmative  of  this  question 
might  be  consistently  maintained  by  him,  who,  from 
the  misfortunes  which  have  impeded  the  progress 
of  our  Society,  can  deduce  an  argument  to  prove  its 
design  without  wisdom,  and  its  success  impossible. 

And  here,  the  Board  cannot  but  advert  to  the  mis- 
representations, which  have,  through  the  sedulity  of 


23 


opposers,  obtained  an  extensive  circulation,  and 
endeavour, by  the  exhibition  of  a  few  facts,  to  remove 
any  false  impressions  which  these  fictitious  reports 
may  have  left  on  the  public  mind. 

Since  the  origin  of  the  Society,  two  hundred 
and  twenty-five  emigrants,  exclusive  of  those  now 
on  their  passage,  in  the  ship  Cyrus,  have  sailed 
to  Africa  under  the  patronage  of  the  Board. 
The  census  received  with  the  last  letters  from 
Dr.  Ayres,  states  the  number  then  at  the  Colo- 
ny, to  be  one  hundred  and  forty.  Let  it  not  be 
supposed  that  this  diminution  of  numbers  has 
resulted  from  mortality  alone.  Previous  to  the 
purchase  of  Cape  Montserado,  several  discontent- 
ed individuals  abandoned  the  Colony  and  settled 
at  Sierra  Leone,  others  returned  to  this  coun- 
try. Information  of  forty-six  deaths  only  has  ben) 
received  by  the  Board.  That  more  have  occurred, 
the  Board  have  no  reason  to  believe.  Twenty-two 
of  these  were  among  the  passengers  in  the  Eliza- 
beth, the  first  vessel  sent  by  the  Society  to  Africa, 
and  occurred  soon  after  her  arrival,  near  the  com- 
mencement of  the  rains,  through  the  unhealthiness 
of  the  spot  on  which,  for  a  season,  they  were  com- 
pelled to  reside,  and  various  other  causes,  by  w  hich 
future  emigrants  can  never  be  affected.  Four  others 
took  place  while  the  colonists  were  at  Sierra  Leone  . 
two  of  them  only  were  the  result  of  fever.  Twen- 
ty others  have  taken  place  at  the  Colony  since  its 
establishment  at  Cape  Montserado  early  in  the 
spring  of  1822:  of  these,  four  were  killed  in  thr 


24 


recent  contest  with  the  natives ;  two  were  drowned, 
one  died  at  the  age  of  eighty  through  gradual  de- 
cay, and  one  perished  through  his  own  rashness. 
Four  others  were  children  under  four  years  of  age. 
Now,  the  Board  appeal  to  the  candour  of  their 
countrymen,  and  ask,  whether,  when  the  difficulties 
and  trials  which  must  for  a  season,  be  inevitably 
experienced  by  every  new  settlement  on  a  distant 
and  barbarous  shore,  are  duly  considered,  the  facts 
just  related,  furnish  reasons  to  conclude,  that  the 
establishment  of  a  Colony  in  Alrica  is  impracticable? 

Mention  has  been  already  made  of  the  friendly 
aid  afforded  to  the  Colony,  when  in  circumstances 
of  extreme  peril,  by  the  officers  and  crew  of  his 
Britannic  Majesty's  schooner,  the  Prince  Regent. 
To  secure  a  compliance  on  the  part  of  the  natives 
with  the  terms  of  the  treaty  concluded  by  Captain 
Laing,  the  commander  of  this  vessel,  Capt.  M'Coy, 
permitted  Midshipman  Gordon  and  eleven  sailors, 
belonging  to  the  Driver,  who  nobly  offered  them- 
selves to  the  service,  to  remain  at  the  Colony  until 
affairs  should  be  finally  adjusted. 

The  purposes  of  heaven  are  too  dark  and  deep 
for  the  scrutiny  of  mortals ;  they  frustrate  our 
best  concerted  measures,  and  frequently  resign  the 
noble-hearted  to  trials  and  death,  on  the  very 
field  of  honourable  and  disinterested  action.  In  the 
midst  of  his  zealous  efforts  for  the  benefit  of  the 
Colony,  Mr.  Gordon  was  attacked  by  an  inflamma- 
tory fever,  which,  on  the  25th  of  December,  termi- 
nated his  life,  and  by  the  conclusion  of  the  first 


week  ui  January,  eight  of  his  companions  had  shared 
the  same  fate. 

"  At  the  time  of  Mr.  Gordon's  decease,"  says 
Air.  Ashmun,  "  several  vessels,  two  of  which  were 
armed  cruizcrs,  were  lying  at  the  Cape,  and  we 
were  enabled  on  the  following  day,  to  pay  our  last 
r.r spects  to  his  remains  by  interring  them,  shrouded 
in  the  British  flag,  with  the  honours  of  war.  The 
procession  was  composed  of  guards,  a  band  of  mu- 
sicians, physician,  clergyman,  pall-bearers,  carriers, 
and  nearly  every  individual  of  the  Colony  who  was 
able  to  walk  to  the  grave.  The  whole  was  con- 
ducted with  that  decent  solemnity,  which  bespoke 
the  deep  feeling  of  a  large  proportion  of  those 
who  assisted  on  the  occasion,  for  Mr.  Gordon's 
amiable  qualities  could  not  fail  to  recommend  him 
to  all  his  acquaintance.  The  language  of  the 
Society's  Agent,  when  communicating  the  intelli- 
gence of  this  melancholy  event  to  Lieut.  Rotheray, 
commander  of  his  Britannic  Majesty's  brig  Snapper, 

so  pertinent,  and  accords  so  entirely  with  the 
feelings  of  the  Board,  that  they  beg  leave  here  to 
introduce  it.  "  To  express  the  regret  I  feel,  says 
this  gentleman,  that  a  measure  so  full  of  be»^vo- 
Icnce  as  the  Leaving  this  little  force  with  us  should 
have  so  disasterous  an  issue,  it  is  s^pt>rfluous  to  at- 
tempt, a-  1  should  but  wrong  my  own  feelings." 

"  We  have  derived  from  the  presence  of  these  un- 
fortunate men  a  great  benefit ;  it  assisted  in  a  pow 
erfui  manner  to  allay  the  warlike  spirit  of  the  n«i~ 
Vivcc;  inspired  a  fresh  spirit  of  resolution  into  our 
0 


JO 


people,  and  relieved  tlicm  for  nearly  three  weeks 
from  a  part  of  their  almost  insupportable  burthens,  t 
shall  rest  it,  he  continues,  with  the  honour  of  my  gov- 
ernment, to  make  such  an  acknowledgment  of  the 
favours  rendered  by  the  officers  and  other  agents  of 
yours  employed  "on  this  coast,  as  justice  and  a  pro- 
pel* estimate  of  the  beneficial  influence  of  interna- 
tional favours,  given  and  received,  plainly  dictate."* 
Several  children  who  had  been  taken  captive  from 
the  settlement  during  the  war,  were,  on  the  return  of 
peace,  immediately  restored.  An  advantageous  trade 
was  commenced  with  the  tribes  in  the  interiour, 
and  before  the  arrival  of  the  Oswego,  the  condition 
of  the  Colony  was  evidently  improved.    The  Uni- 
ted States'  sloop  of  war,  Cyane,  Capt.  Spence,  had 
been  at  the  Colony  in  the  month  of  April,  and  her 
officers  and  crew  left  there  the  monuments  of  then 
zealous  and  persevering  exertions.    It  is  impossible 
to  estimate  too  highly  the  services  of  Capt.  Spence 
and  his  generous  companions.    When  informed  of 
the  sufferings  of  the  Colony,  they  immediately  re- 
paired to  Sierra  Leone,  fitted  for  sea  the  schooner 
Augusta,  belonging  to  the  United  States,  and  has- 
tening to  the  Colony,  offered  it  most  cheerfully, 
every  aid  \k  their  power.    Though  the  cruize  of  the 
Cyane  had  beeiiolready  protracted  in  an  unhealthy 
climate,  Capt.  Spence  resolved  without  hesitation 
* .   to  remain  so  long  on  the  coast  as  should  be  necessary 
to  complete  a  work  of  defence,  and  make  suitable 
provision  for  the  approaching  rains.    He  furnished 
the  Colony  with  supplies  and  ammunition,  built  a 

*  Appendix,  paper  marked  B. 


27 


nouse  for  the  Agent,  and  erected  a  tower  of  strong 
mason  work,  which,  though  somewhat  injured  by 
the  subsequent  rains,  will,  it  is  believed,  prove  an 
entire  defence  against  the  barbarians.  Having 
nearly  accomplished  his  designs,  this  efficient  officer 
was  interrupted  in  his  exertions  by  the  sickness  of 
his  crew,  increased,  no  doubt,  by  the  burning  sun 
of  that  climate,  and  he  was  compelled  to  leave  the 
Colony  on  the  loth  of  April. 

The  benevolence  and  zeal  of  Capt.  Spence  on 
this  occasion,  are  the  more  striking,  from  the  circum- 
stance of  his  labouring  under  great  debility  from  a 
fever  contracted  during  a  cruize  of  several  months 
previous  in  the  West  Indies. 

Determined,  however,  to  neglect  nothing,  which 
might  contribute  to  the  results  expected  by  govern- 
ment from  an  agency  on  the  African  coast,  Capt. 
Spence  instructed  Lieut.  Dashiell  to  take  command 
v£  the  Augusta,  with  a  crew  of  six  white  and  six 
coloured  men,  and  to  cruize  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
Colony,  for  the  purpose  of  at  once  subserving  its 
interests  and  aiding  in  the  suppression  of  the  slave 
trade. 

The  Board  deeply  regret  to  say  that  Lieuten- 
ant Dashiell  died  at  Sierra  Leone,  on  the  22d 
yf  June.  This  mournful  event  has  deprived  the 
navy  of  an  able  officer,  and  the  church  of  a  dis- 
tinguished christian.  Midshipman  R.  R.  M'Mullin 
succeeded  him  in  the  command  of  the  Augusta, 
\  hich  is  still  on  the  coast  of  Africa.* 

The  duties  of  the  agency  being  found  very  ardu- 

*  Appeadbe,  pnpcr  r:nrked  C. 


23 


rtus,  Mr.  Richard  Scton,  first  clerk  oi'  the  Cyane, 
highly  recommended  by  Capt.  Spencc,  consented 
to  remain  for  a  season  at  the  Colony,  and  assist  in 
a  work  evidently  too  great  for  a  single  individual. 
His  services,  though  valuable,  were  short ;  a  violent 
fever  soon  reduced  him  to  extreme  weakness,  he 
lingered  for  some  months  and  died  in  the  Oswego 
on  his  return  to  the  United  States.  If  it  is  glorious 
to  die  for  one's  country,  surely  those  who  fall  while 
aiding  the  cause  of  humanity,  liberty,  virtue,  in  a 
distant  land,  fall  nobly,  and  deserve  a  grateful  and 
lasting  remembrance. 

Since  the  arrival  of  Dr.  Ay  res,  the  number  of 
buildings  at  the  Colony  has  been  considerably  in- 
creased ;  certain  irregular  habits  among  the  younger 
emigrants  corrected ;  and  a  system  of  government 
adopted,  which  promises  to  exert  an  efficient  and 
most  salutary  influence.  The  division  of  the  land 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  settlement,  among  the  several 
families,  has  before  this,  no  doubt,  been  effected,  as 
Dr.  Ayres  observes  in  his  last  communication, "  I 
have  fixed  upon  the  1st  of  November  for  the  time 
when  all  rations  will  cease  to  be  delivered  except 
to  invalids.''  Such  a  division  must  minister  every 
encouragement  to  industry,  the  great  promoter  of 
virtue,  peace,  and  universal  prosperity.* 

The  evidences  of  public  favour  which  the  Board 
have  received  during  the  year,  have  afforded  the 
highest  encouragement,  and  they  can  no  longer 
doubt  that  a  general  knowledge  of  their  plans  will 
be  succeeded  by  the  common  and  vigorous  efforts 

*  Appendix,  pipers  A  also  D. 


29 


of  the  country  to  execute  them,  and  that  the  de&ign 
of  the  Colonization  Society,  notwithstanding  dfe 
opposition  it  has  experienced,  will  yet  heconsunnna 
ted  by  the  combined  energies  of  a  nation,  and  ap- 
proved by  the  civilized  world.  A  thousand  power- 
ful  minds  scattered  throughout  the  Union,  ai^e 
at  work  for  this  institution;  the  objects  which 
it  is  intended  to  promote  are  every  where  becoming 
subjects  of  thought  and  conversation,  and  the  spirit 
of  deep  concern  for  its  result  is  rapidly  extending, 
securing  to  it  the  counsels  of  wisdom,  the  donations 
of  wealth,  and  the  prayers  of  religion. 

During  the  spring,  the  Society  for  Inquiry  con 
ccrning  Missions  in  the  Theological  Seminary  at 
Andover,  thought  proper  to  make  the  Colonization 
Society  a  subject  for  investigation.    A  committee; 
appointed  for  the  purpose  prepared  a  report  com- 
prising the  principal  facts  in  the  history  of  our  St, 
eiety,  and  presenting  what  was  deemed  a  fair  view 
of  its  claims  to  patronage.    This  report  was  written 
with  great  ability,  and  produced  uncommon  excite 
mcnt.  When  presented,  there  was  a  Unanimous  and 
heartfelt  expression  of  regard  for  the  cause  of  the 
Colonization  Society,  and  a  resolution  adopted  to 
appeal  to  the  public  in  its  behalf.    That  this  might 
be  done  w  ith  the  greatest  advantage,  two  gentlemen 
were  requested  to  proceed  to  Washington  and  con- 
fer with  the  Members  of  the  Board.    They  were 
accordingly  present  at  a  meeting  in  June,  and  the 
LJoard  received  from  them  much  important  intelli- 
gence, as  well  as  several  suggestions  deserting  very 
serious  consideration. 


3U 

During  the  deliberations  at  this  time,  the  Board 
resolved  to  represent,  without  delay,  in  a  publiek 
address,  the  necessity  for  an  immediate  augmen- 
tation of  their  funds  ;*  to  appoint  agents  in  different 
states  to  solicit  contributions  and  form  auxiliary  so- 
cieties ;  to  issue  a  prospectus  of  a  periodical  work 
to  be  published  under  the  direction  of  the  Board 
avhenever  the  number  of  subscribers  should  be  ade- 
quate to  its  support;  and  to  leave  neglected  no  pos- 
sible means  of  increasing  the  numbers  and  resources 
of  the  Colony  before  the  return  of  the  rainy  season. 

The  Rev.  Chester  Wright,  of  Montpelier,  Vt.  one 
of  the  earliest  and  most  efficient  friends  to  the  So- 
ciety, kindly  consented  to  accept  a  commission  of 
agency  for  a  few  weeks  in  New-England,  and 
though  many  obstacles  were  thrown  in  his  way,  his 
indefatigable  exertions  have  greatly  advanced  the 
cause.  Assisted  by  the  Rev.  Leonard  Bacon,  a 
young  gentleman  to  whom  the  Board  arc  greatly 
indebted  for  an  able  review  "'  of  their  Reports,  first 
published  in  the  Christian  Spectator,  and  since  co- 
pied into  various  periodical  works,  the  efforts  of 
Air.  Wright  have  excited  an  interest  in  the  northern 
churches,  which,  the  Board  trust,  will  be  perma- 
nent. The  recent  donation  from  the  Vermont  So- 
viet}7, proves  that  the  Board  may  expect  most  im- 
portant assistance  from  New-England. 

In  the  state  of  New-York,  the  Rev.  Loring  D. 
Dewey  has  performed,  with  distinguished  zeal  and 
activity,  for  some  months,  the  duties  of  agent,  and 
by  his  unremitted  endeavours,  effected  the  estahfeh- 

*  Appendix,  paper?  marked  B.  also  appendix,  E. 


5i 


merit  of  several  auxiliary  societies.  An  association 
of  this  kind  in  New  -York  city,  which  has  existed 
for  several  years,  seems  to  have  experienced  a  re- 
animating influence,  and  in  their  recent  report  the 
managers  record  with  pleasure  "  their  firm  and 
unalterable  conviction  in  favour  of  the  great  cause 
in  which  they  are  enlisted."  They  believe  it  to  be 
a  project  not  only  practicable,  but  pregnant  with 
the  greatest  blessings  to  humanity.* 

From  the  report  of  the  Rev.  Wm.  M'Kenney,  re- 
cently employed  as  agent  for  three  months  in  Dela- 
ware and  on  the  Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland  and 
V  irginia,  the  Board  conclude  that  the  opinions  and 
sentiments  entertained  by  the  most  enlightened  peo- 
ple in  those  places,  are  decidedly  favourable  to  then 
object.  Though  compelled  by  severe  illness  to  desist 
for  some  weeks  from  his  exertions,  Mr.  M'Kennev 
has  presented  the  plans  of  the  Colonization  Society 
to  the  consideration  of  many  intelligent  men,  ap- 
pealed to  the  churches  for  aid,  assisted  in  the  for- 
mation of  several  auxiliary  institutions,  and  thus 
rendered  important  services  to  the  general  cause. 
Mr.  M'Kenney  every  where  received  the  kindest 
attention,  and  was  assured  by  the  distinguished  men 
that  on  their  part  nothing  should  be  neglected  which 
micht  be  calc  ulated  to  cherish  or  extend  the  flam< 
which  he  had  kindled,  or  by  the  adoption  of  rnea 
sures  for  general  and  systematic  collections,  m&istei 
aid  to  the  great  enterprise  in  which  the  Society  i- 
cm  gaged.* 

The  recent  formation  of  auxiliary  societies  in 

*  Annendix,  V.    Appendix,  G 


Richmond,  Petersburg,  and  Portsmouth,  Virginia: 
the  eminent  names  enrolled  among  their  members; 
the  liberal  donations  already  transmitted ;  and  the 
deep  interest  expressed  in  the  operations  of  the 
parent  Society,  are  circumstances  recorded  by  the 
Board  with  peculiar  pleasure,  not  only  as  import- 
ant immediate  benefits,  but  as  auspicious  omens  of 
far  greater  good. 

Three  very  respectable  societies  have  also  been 
organized  in  this  District,  and  promise  considerable 
nid  to  the  parent  institution.  To  whom,  indeed, 
can  the  Board  look  for  support,  at  times  when  un- 
expected, immediate,  and  energetic  action  is  de- 
manded, and  of  course,  when  no  assistance  can  be 
derived  from  distant  friends,  unless  to  those  in  their 
vicinity  who  have  professed  their  regard  for  the 
Society ;  who  are  almost  necessarily  acquainted 
with  its  difficulties,  and  can  inspect  all  its  opera- 
tions. 

And  why  may  not  similar  auxiliary  institutions" 
be  formed  in  most  of  the  counties  and  towns 
throughout  the  Union  ?  Two  or  three  individuals, 
possessed  of  zeal,  industry,  and  perseverance  in  any 
degree  like  that  which  the  cause  merits,  would,  it 
is  believed,  seldom  make  an  attempt  to  concentrate 
opinion,  and  collect  donations  in  their  neighbour- 
hood in  aid  of  the  parent  Society  without  success. 

At  the  session  of  the  Synod  of  North-Carolina, 
held  in  Fayettcville  in  September  last,  it  was  re- 
solved "to  recommend  to  each  of  its  ministers  to 
nike  such  measures  as  might  be  necessary  during 


the  ensuing  year,  for  informing  himself  respecting 
the  origin,  progress,  and  present  state  of  the  Colo- 
nization Society,  and  respecting  its  transactions  to 
the  present  date,  and  to  take  occasion  to  preach 
one  discourse,  at  least,  to  his  congregations,  in  dis- 
course of  the  year  upon  this  important  subject/' 
This  resolution  was  received  without  a  dissenting 
voice.    Resolutions  expressing  the  most  cordial  ap 
probation  of  the  design  of  our  Society,  were,  about 
this  time,  unanimously  adopted  by  the  synod  of 
Philadelphia  and  Virginia.    The  General  Com  en 
tion  of  the   Protestant  Episcopal  churches,  the 
General  Baptist  Convention,  and  the  General  As 
sembly  of  the  Presbyterian  churches  have,  it  is 
well  known,  given  their  sanction  to  the  enter- 
prise of  tiie  Board.     The  Board  cannot  record 
these  honourable  and  auspicious  movements  among 
the  ministers  of  religion,  without  devout  acknow 
lodgments  to  their  great  Benefactor,  and  an  earnest, 
prayer  for  his  future  benediction. 

Nothing,  surely,  could  afford  the  Board  more  sin 
cere  gratification,  than  to  be  able  in  the  prosecution 
of  their  design,  to  assist,  m  a  manner  and  degree, 
however  humble,  the  benevolent  and  magnanimous 
intentions  of  the  national  government  towards  such 
Africans  as  may  be  imported  into  the  country  in 
contravention  to  the  laws,  and  the  belief  that  they 
m;iy  have  contributed  in  any  measure  to  the  utility 
of  the  governmental  agency  on  the  African  coast,  is  3 
powerful  motive  for  future  and  undiminished  excr 
tion.  And  here,  the  Board  beg  leave  to  introduce 
from  tfie  January  mtrifter  of  the  North  American 


Review,  from  the  pen  of  the  Rev.  Jared  Sparks,  arc 
entire  account  of  certain  captured  Africans  who 
have  been  recently  transported  to  the  Colony  under 
the  protection  of  the  United  States.  Those  who 
would  see  a  concise  history  of  the  progress,  and  a 
lucid  exposition  of  the  views  of  the  Colonization 
Society,  will  find  the  whole  article  worthy  an  at 
tentive  perusal. 

"  Some  weeks  ago,"  says  the  writer,  "  a  vessel 
came  into  the  harbour  of  Baltimore,  w  hich  from  vari- 
ous circumstances  was  thought  to  have  negroes  un- 
lawfully detained  on  board.  So  strong  w  as  the  ground 
of  suspicion,  that  a  few  individuals  took  on  them- 
selves the  responsibility  of  searching  the  vessel,  and 
they  found  concealed  eleven  negroes,  who  were  for- 
eigners, incapable  of  speaking  or  understanding  the 
English  language.  A  prosecution  was  accordingly 
entered  against  the  captain  as  being  engaged  in  the 
slave-trade ;  but  as  he  affirmed,  that  the  negroes 
were  his  own  property  lawfully  acquired,  and  no 
proof  to  the  contrary  could  be  adduced,  he  was  ac- 
quitted. The  law  demands  that  in  all  doubtful 
claims  to  the  property  of  slaves,  the  labour  of  proof 
shall  rest  with  the  claimant,  and  as  the  captain  in 
the  present  case  could  produce  no  such  proof,  the 
negroes  were  detained  by  the  court,  although  he  w  as 
permitted  to  escape.  Through  the  humanity  of 
some  of  the  active  members  of  the  Colonization 
Society,*  these  negroes  were  provided  for  by  being 
distributed  among  several  families  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of  Baltimore,  to  remain  till  they  should  loon, 

*  Appendix  I.  No-  2. 


die  language  and  be  able  to  express  their  wishes  in 
regard  to  their  future  destination. 

"  Fortunately,  about  this  time,  a  young  African  by 
the  name  of  Wilkinson,  a  native  of  the  Susoo  coun- 
try on  the  Rio  Pongas,  arrived  in  Baltimore.  Some 
years  ago,  a  chief  of  the  Susoo's  entrusted  two  of 
his  sons  to  the  care  of  the  captain  of  a  French  ves 
sel,  trading  in  the  Rio  Pongas,  who  promised  to 
take  them  to  the  West  Indies,  have  them  educated, 
and  return  them  at  the  end  of  four  years.  When 
the  stipulated  time  had  gone  by,  and  nothing  was 
heard  of  the  boys,  Wilkinson  was  despatched  to  the 
West  Indies  to  search  them  out ;  he  succeeded  in 
rinding  them,  but  had  the  mortification  to  learn  that 
the  treacherous  captain  had  not  been  true  to  his 
word  ;  he  had  deserted  the  boys,  and  they  were 
turned  over  to  work  with  the  slaves.   Wilkinson  re- 
covered them,  however,  without  difficulty,  sent 
them  to  their  father,  and  came  himself  to  Baltimore 
ro  take  passage  home  in  the  Colonization  Packet, 
lie  had  already  been  several  years  in  England,  and 
spoke  our  language  with  fluency.    Soon  after  his 
arrival  he  visited  some  of  the  recaptured  Africans 
just  mentioned,  and  discovered  that  they  came  from 
the  region  bordering  on  his  own  country,  and  spoke 
,  a  dialect  which  he  well  understood,  although  it  was 
not  bis  native  Susoo  tongue.    They  were  overjoyed 
at  seeing  a  person  with  whom  they  could  convert 
but  were  incredulous  when  he  told  them  that  the) 
were  free,  and  might  return  home  if  they  chosi 
They  said  he  was  deceiving  them,  that  they  knvw 


they  were  slaves,  and  sliould  never  again  see  then- 
native  land,  their  relatives  and  friends  ;  so  thorough- 
ly were  they  impressed  with  the  melancholy  convic- 
tion of  being  in  slavery,  that  no  protestations  could 
make  them  believe  in  his  entire  sincerity.  They 
exclaimed  with  raptures  at  the  thought  of  freedom, 
and  of  going  back  to  Africa,  but  would  not  hope 
that  such  a  dream  could  ever  bo  realized.  The 
situation  of  these  persons  was  made  known  by  the 
Colonization  Society  to  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  who  said,  that  if  proper  certificates  were 
given  of  their  desire  to  return,  the  government 
would  pay  the  expense  of  transportation.  The  navy 
i gent  at  Baltimore  was  ordered  to  have  them  ex- 
amined.   They  were  brought  together  for  that  pur- 
pose, and  as  the  examination  could  only  be  carried 
on  through  Wilkinson  as  interpreter,  he  gave  his 
testimony  under  oath.    We  shall  speak  of  this  in- 
teresting examination  nearly  in  the  words  of  Mr. 
i  'oaie,  secretary  of  the  Baltimore  auxiliary  society, 
who  was  present  and  took  an  account  of  the  pro- 
ceedings in  writing.   The  general  question  was  put 
to  them  severally,  whether  they  wished  to  remain 
in  this  country  as  freemen,  or  be  sent  to  Montserado, 
and  thence  if  practicable  to  their  homes  ;  Dowrey 
was  the  first  who  was  called  to  answer.    He  was  a 
<  liief  in  his  own  country,  of  whom  Wilkinson  had 
some  knowledge  ;  he  replied,  "  I  wish  to  go  home, 
I  wish  to  see  my  father,  my  wife,  and  children  ;  I 
have  been  at  Montserado,  I  live  but  three  day's  walk 
froih  that  place."    Barterou  answered.  "Let me 


37 


go  home,  I  have  a  wife,  I  have  two  children,  1  tiy< 
a  morning's  walk  from  Dowrey."  The  next  per 
son  ealled  was  Mousah,  the  son  of  a  highly  respect* 
able  chief,  with  whom  Wilkinson  was  personally 
acquainted  ;  he  had  been  living  with  Gen.  Harper, 
and  when  asked  if  he  was  not  disposed  to  remain 
mid  be  instructed,  and  go  home  hereafter  and  teach 
his  countrymen,  he  replied  :  "  General  Harper  is  a 
good  man,  he  will  give  me  clothes  and  food,  and  be 
kind  to  me,  but  he  cannot  give  me  my  wife  and 
children."  When  the  general  question  was  put  to 
Cubangerie,  he  replied ;  "  Why  do  you  ask  this 
question  over  and  over ?  I  am  so  rejoiced  at  the 
thoughts  of  returning,  that  I  want  words  to  express 
myself.  Do  you  not  know  that  nothing  is  so  dear 
as  a  man's  home  ?"  Mazzey  said,  "  my  mother  is 
living,  my  father  is  living,  I  have  two  sisters,  I  shall 
be  grateful  to  those  who  send  me  to  my  family  and 
1  friends."  The  answer  of  Fanghah  was,  "  I  shall 
be  joyful  to  go  home,  I  have  a  lather,  mother,  wife, 
sister,  and  three  children  to  meet  me  in  my  own 
country."  Corree  said  that  all  he  desired  was  to 
be  landed  in  Africa,  and  he  should  soon  find  hiv 
way  home.    Banhah  made  nearly  the  same  reply. 

"  After  these  eight  persons  were  examined,  they 
••xpressed  great  anxiety  to  be  joined  by  two  of  their 
companions  not  present.  These  had  been  placed 
with  a  man,  who,  it  seems,  was  not  willing  to  part 
with  them,  and  had  reported  that  they  Wished  to 
remain.  This  proved  a  false  pretence  set  up  v\  ith 
3  view  to  profit  by  the  labour  of  the  negroes  :  and 


whatever  may  be  the  power  of  the  law  iii  such  a 
case,  it  will  be  difficult  to  make  it  appear  in  the 
eye  of  justice,  in  any  better  light  than  the  crime  of 
being:  encased  in  the  slave-trade.  A  writ  on  a  fic- 
titious  suit  was  taken  out  against  the  negroes,  and 
they  were  thus  released  from  thraldom  and  brought 
to  the  place  of  examination.  When  they  arrived, 
their  companions  sprang  with  extacies  to  meet  them, 
embraced  them  again  and  again,  caught  them  in 
their  arms,  raised  them  from  the  ground,  and  con- 
tinued for  half  an  hour  at  intervals  to  embrace  and 
shake  them  by  the  hand.  Nothing  could  exceed 
their  joy  at  being  told  that  they  were  free,  and 
would  sail  in  a  day  or  two  for  Africa. 

"  These  ten  persons  thus  providentially  rescued 
from  perpetual  slavery,  and  made  happy  in  the  anti- 
cipations of  again  beholding  their  native  land,  and 
of  carrying  gladness  to  many  a  weeping  disconso- 
late heart,  owed  their  deliverance  chiefly  to  the 
Colonization  Society.  They  have  gone  home  to 
prove  to  their  countrymen  and  friends,  that  white 
men  are  not  all  barbarians,  traffickers  in  human  flesh, 
and  artificers  of  human  misery ;  but  that  the  flame 
of  benevolent  feeling  may  sometimes  kindle  and 
burn  even  in  the  breasts  of  this  portion  of  their  race 
whom  they  had  hitherto  known  only  as  catchers  of 
their  own  species,  and  workers  in  crime. 

"  We  know  not  the  spring  of  other  men's  joys,  bur 
as  for  ourselves,  call  it  weakness  or  enthusiasm,  or 
what  you  will,  we  frankly  confess,  that  the  heart- 
felt delight  of  having  been  instrumental  in  restoring 


these  men  to  freedom  and  happiness,  would  have 
been  to  us  a  double  compensation  for  all  the  em- 
barrassments, rebuffs,  and  obstacles,  numerous  and 
severe  as  they  have  been,  which  the  members  of  the. 
Society  have  thus  far  experienced.  Had  they  brought 
ro  pass  from  the  beginning  only  this  one  deed,  we 
would  lift  up  our  voice  in  praise  of  their  noble 
achievement  and  say  they  had  been  blessed  with  a 
good  reward.  These  rescued  Africans,  full  of  gra- 
titude to  their  deliverers,  sailed  with  Wilkinson  in 
the  Fidelity,  for  Montserado,  in  October  last ;  Dr. 
Ay  res  had  directions  to  send  them  home  as  soon  as 
they  arrived." 

The  Board  rejoice  to  say,  that  the  slave-trade 
seems  to  have  been  less  extensively  carried  on  dur- 
ing the  last  year,  and  to  express  their  belief,  that 
few  American  citizens  now  share  in  the  gains  of 
this  atrocious  trahick.  The  earnestness  and  deci- 
sion evinced  by  the  government  of  the  United 
States  in  its  efforts  to  abolish  this  cruel  trade  ;  the 
opprobrium  and  punishment  attached  by  Congress 
to  a  violation  of  its  enactments  on  this  subject ;  par- 
ticularly, its  recent  determination  to  consider  such 
violation  piracy,  and  to  neglect  no  reasonable  means 
of  detecting  transgressors,  have  almost,  if  not  en- 
tirely, restrained  this  traffick  under  the  American 
Hag,  and  promise  to  exert  a  benign  and  powerful 
influence  upon  the  laws  of  the  whole  civilized 
world. 

The  encouragement  given  to  the  publication  pro- 
posed In*  ihe  Board;  is  a.t  present  inefficient  to 


justify  its  'appearance,  though  from  the  communica- 
tions of  their  friends,  the  Managers  are  induced  to 
hope,  that  they  shall  soon  be  enabled  to  commence 
it.    The  character  of  this  work  must  depend  in  nd 
inconsiderable  degree  upon   information  derived 
from  the  Colony,  and  to  render  it  worthy  of  general 
patronage,  a  regular  and  frequent  correspondence 
with  the  Agent  there,  will  be  indispensable.  Inter- 
course with  the  Colony  has  already  been  greatly 
facilitated  by  the  establishment  of  a  trading  com- 
pany in  Baltimore,  and  the  Board  are  happy  to 
state  that  the  arrangements  now  making  by  govern- 
ment, to  guard  the  African  coast,  by  vessels  to  suc- 
ceed each  other  in  cruizes  of  short  duration,  will 
probably  afford  the  means  of  easy,  frequent,  and 
safe  communication. 

A  large  number  of  the  free  people  of  colour  have 
the  last  year  sought  the  patronage  of  the  Board,  and 
the  disposition  to  emigrate  to  Africa  seems  coexten- 
sive with  a  knowledge  of  the  motives  to  induce 
such  emigration.  It  were  easy  to  excite  enthusiasm 
on  this  subject,  but  the  Board  do  not  desire  it.  The 
means  will  never  equal  the  demand  for  transports- 
v  rion.  ....  .        "  ~~ 

The  resolution  adopted  by  the  Board  in  the 
.month  of  June,  to  increase,  if  possible,  the  strength 
of  the  Colony  during  the  present  season,  has  not 
been  neglected.  By  incessant  efTort  such  means 
have  been  obtained,  as,  though  not  equal  to  the  ex- 
pense necessarily  incurred,  have  induced  the  Board 
vo  charter  a  vessel :  and  thev  are  happy  to  announce 


41 


i he  departure  of  the  ship  Cyrus,  on  the  tenth  of  last 
month,  with  more  than  one  hundred  emigrants. 
These  people  were  all  from  Petersburg,  Rich- 
mond, and  the  lower  country  of  Virginia.  Most 
of  them  were,  it  is  believed,  inferiour  in  intelligence, 
industry,  and  morality,  to  none  of  their  class  in  the 
country.  Among  these  is  the  Rev.  Colston  M. 
Waring,  a  respectable  coloured  preacher,  who, 
after  having  visited  the  Colony,  now  returns  with 
his  wife  and  children,  and  a  considerable  number 
of  his  pious  and  affectionate  flock.  May  the  bene- 
diction of  heaven  attend  them  ;  may  the  purity  of 
their  lives  recommend  Christianity  to  barbarians  ; 
may  religion  console  them  amid  all  the  discourage 
ments  of  their  work. 

The  Board  state  with  pleasure  that  the  cxpence 
of  transportation  to  Africa  is  far  less  than  has  been 
supposed.  One  hundred  emigrants  have  been  taken 
out  in  the  Cyrus,  liberally  supplied  with  provisions 
for  twenty-six  hundred  dollars,  making  the  cost  of 
each  individual  twenty-six  dollars.  Even  this  sum 
will,  the  Board  are  convinced,  suffer  a  very  consi- 
derable reduction  when  the  resources  of  the  Colony 
shall  be  so  augmented  as  to  allow  of  the  simultane- 
ous arrival  of  larger  reinforcements. 

In  conclusion,  the  Board  venture  to  express  the 
hope,  that  the  time  is  not  remote,  w  Ia  n  the  hearts  of 
all  the  people  in  this  country  shall  be  set  as  the 
heart  of  one  man,  to  advance  the  cause  of  coloniza- 
tion ;  when  the  state  governments  and  even  Con*- 
gress*  shall  bring  its  mighty  power  to  the  execution 

*  Paper  ft 

F 


42 


of  a  plan,  which  the  Society  most  earnestly,  but  in 
weakness,  endeavours  to  promote  ;  a  plan,  fraught 
with  the  richest  benefits  for  a  suffering  and  degraded 
people,  most  intimately,  essentially  connected,  with 
the  wealth,  strength,  and  glory  of  our  country. 

In  our  national  constitution,  young  and  vigorous 
as  it  is,  there  exists  a  disease,  growing  with  our 
growth  and  strengthening  with  our  strength,  which, 
unless  remedied,  will  ruin  us,  possibly  by  slow  de- 
cay, probably  by  sudden  violence.  Loudly,  then, 
J  as  by  an  Angel's  voice,  are  we  called  upon  to  awake, 
and  before  age  has  fixed  our  habits,  and  the  poison 
become  mingled  in  the  fount  of  life,  make  those 
exertions,  which  may  secure  perpetual  strength,  pur- 
chase immortal  glory,  and  save  us  from  terrors,  dark- 
ening as  we  advance,  which  invest  the  future  with 
clouds  of  mysterious  and  tremendous  calamity. 
Whatever  may  be  the  fate  of  their  cause,  trusting 
in  God,  the  Board  will  persevere ;  for,  in  the  pro- 
secution of  an  enterprise,  promising  such  benevo- 
lent such  splendid  results,  they  seek  no  higher  praise 
than  that  of  having  exhibited  the  spirit  ascribed  by 
the  poet  to  the  stern  and  unconquerable  Roman, 
Cuncta  terrarum  sabacta 
Prceter  atrocem  animum  Catonis. 


Since  the  above  Report  was  penned,  Dr.  Ayres 
has  arrived  in  this  country.  His  statements  are  such 
as  to  afford  the  strongest  encouragement  to  the 
friends  of  our  Society;*  indeed,  the  question  whether 

*  Paper  J, 


43 


a  Colony  can  be  established  in  Africa,  seems  to  be 
decided  in  the  affirmative.*  The  emigrants  were 
left  in  the  enjoyment  of  good  health,  and  had  com- 
menced the  cultivation  of  their  grounds.  Constant 
attention,  until  very  recently,  to  works  of  defence, 
has  prevented  any  very  considerable  improvements  ; 
yet,  as  the  Colony  is  now  considered  secure  from 
the  power  of  the  Datives,  we  may  expect  its  pros 
perity  rapidly  to  advance.  It  must,  however,  for 
some  time  longer,  depend  in  part  for  a  subsistence 
upon  the  charities  of  this  country.  Vegetables  and 
corn  will  probably  soon  be  raised  in  abundance,  but 
the  articles  of  meat  and  clothing  must  for  one  or  two 
years  be  received  from  the  United  States.  Supplies 
for  the  Colony  are  at  this  time  demanded.  The 
Board  of  Managers  appeal  to  their  friends  for  aid. 
Those  who  have  confided  in  the  generosity  of  the 
Society,  must  not  be  abandoned.  The  several  auxi- 
liary societies  are  most  earnestly  requested  to  trans- 
mit immediately  such  funds  as  they  may  possess, 
or  as  they  may  find  it  possible  to  obtain.  May  the 
liberality  of  the  American  people  correspond  to  the 
greatness  of  the  cause. 

Paper  K. 


4 


9 


44 


DR. 

The  American  Colonization  Society  in  Account  with  Richard 
Smith,  Treasurer  thereof. 

1822. 

April    20,  To  cash  paid  J.  Ashmun   $100  00 

May      18,             Ditto    J.  Gideon, Jr   9  00 

22,            Ditto    J.  Ashmun's  draft   200  00 

Ditto           do   45  00 

25,            Ditto           do   100  00 

June     11,            Ditto    R.  R.  Gurley   150  00 

24,            Ditto    Davis  and  Force   32125 

Oct.      25,            Ditto    H.  Payson,  &  Co   117  50 

1823. 

Jan.      15,            Ditto    R.  R.  Gurley   11  00 

$  1,053  55 
Balance  in  hand         2,219  87 

$3, 3-. '3  42 

Supra  CR. 

1822. 

Mar.      22,  By  balance  per  account  rendered..   2,525  16 

April      30,        Mrs.  Janet  Lingau  . ;   10  00 

May         7,        Auxiliary   Society,    Newburyport,   per  B. 

Bannister,  Treasurer   6l  00 

Nov.        4,        Ditto  Fred,  county,  Va.  pr.  O.  Waite,  Tr...        300  oO 

13,  Ditto  Jackson  county,  Ga  per  W  Pentecost, 

Treasurer   40  00 

1823. 

Tan.         6,        Ditto  Norfolk,  Va   100  00 

John  Chew  for  the  following  persons,  viz. 

Miss  Mercer   5 

Ch.  Austin   3 

Joseph  Waller..   1 

Hor.  Buckuer   1 

Jac.  Stares   1 

Edmund  Taylor   5 

 16  00 

Feb.        12,        Auxiliary  Society  of  Jefferson  county,  Va. 

per  W.  Brown,  Treasurer   55  00 

14,  J  of  Alexandria   10  00 

15,  Auxiliary  Society  of  Frederick  county,  Va. 

O.  Waite,  Treasurer   150  00 

19,        Mr.  Withers   5  00 

Mrs.  J.  Withers.....   5  00 

Mrs.  E.  Withers   5  00 

A  Lady   1  50 

The  charity  box  of  a  young  lady  of  the 

District   8  00 

Ditto  of  another  do.  10  3-ears  old   6  76 

Rev.  Asa  Meade,  Brunswick,  Maine  1st  mar- 
riage fee   5  00 


83,303  42 


45 


DR. 

The  American  Colonization  Society  in  Account  with  Richard 
Smith,  Treasurer. 

1823. 

March    26,  To  R.  R.  Gurley's  account  to  J.  M'Fadon  for 

freight  of  brig  Oswego   $1,000  10 

Cash  paid  R.  R.  Gurley   20  00 

31,        Ditto        do.        do.  •   55  00 

April      14,        Loss  on  North-Carolina  notes   10  64 

12,        Cash  paid  R.  R.  Gurley   200  00 

Ditto        do.       do   600  00 

16,       Ditto       do.       do   50  39 

May         1,        Ditto        do.        do.      draft  to  Bradford  & 

Cook   29  65 

15,  Ditto       do.       do.      E.  J.  Coale   3'  00 

31,        Ditto        do.        do   20  00 

June       11,        Ditto        do.        I.  King,  jr.  and  T.  Tyson..  237  50 

Ditto        do.        do  do   212  83 

August     5,        Ditto        do.        J.  Ashmun  jr's  draft   195  00 

Ditto       do.        Divie  Bethune,  &Co   107  47 

Sept.        6,        Ditto        do.        M'Fadon  and  Harris   1,000  00 

19,  Ditto       do.        W.  M'Kenney   75  00 

20,  Ditto        do.        King  and  Tyson   52  50 

Ditto        do.        R.  R.  Gurley,  salary   200  00 

October    3,        Ditto        do.        do   100  00 

14,       Ditto       do.       do  „   60  00 

Ditto        do.        Kinchy  for  books   6  00 

Nov.       14,        Ditto        do.        J.  Ashmun   50  00 

Ditto        do.        Mrs.  C.  A.  M'Kenney....  12  00 

Dec.       19,        Ditto        do.        R.  R.  Gurley   60  00 

3l,        Ditto        do.        do   550  00 

Ditto        do.        Davis  and  Force   234  87 

1824. 

Jan.         5.        Ditto       do.        R.  R.  Gurley   1,000  Oo 

7,        Ditto        do.        do   20  00 

Ditto        do.        do   476  25 

9,        Ditto       do.        do   50  00 

Ditto        do.        loss  on  Vermont  notes   3  05 

16,  Ditto        do.        John  Stettenius   21  07 

Amount  6,739  22 

Feb.       13,       To  balance  on  hand   28l  72 

$7,020  94 

N.  B.  Of  the  above  balance,  $29  are  counterfeit  notes. 

Supra  CR. 

1823. 

Feb.       28,  By  balance  in  hand  per  account  rendered   2,249  8? 

March    10,        Cash  from  P.  E.Thomas,  on  account  of  the 

Rockingham  Auxiliary  Society   45  00 

27,        Ditto    Mrs.  Mary  I.  Thomas,  of  Va.  per  F. 

S.  Key   20  00 

Ditto    Jon.  Pinkney,  Treasurer  of  the  Aux- 
iliary Society  of  Annapolis   6  00 


46 


March     27,  Cash  from  Gabriel  Duvall,  subscriber  for  1821 

and  1822   $10  00 

28,       Ditto    W.  B.  Bannister,  Treasurer  Aux. 

Soc.  Newburyport,  pr.  J.  Nelson..         50  00 
31,        Ditto         R.  Gurley  for  his  collections  in 
Philadelphia,  viz. 

From    R.  Ralston  <.   10 

Mrs.  Mary  Carswell   5 

Mrs.  Mary  A.  Ely   5 

Lemuel  Lamb   5 

Alexander  Henry   10 

Cash  «   5 

Bishop  White   5 

Ch.  Chauncey.   5 

J.  J.  Janeway...,   5 

— —  55  00 

•  Ditto    Robert  Ralston  balance  of  collections        122  10 
Ditto    A  donation  from  ladies  in  Frederick 

county   10  00 

Ditto    From  M'Dupree,  Treasur.  Aux.  Soc. 

in  Raleigh,  N.  C   130  00 

April        4,       Ditto    R.  R.  Gurley,  collections  in  Alexa..        110  00 

Ditto        do.        do.    in  Georgetown   35  00 

Ditto        do.        do.    from  various  sources         25  1* 

14,        Ditto    John  Gray  of  Fredericksburg   50  00 

18,        Ditto    Auxiliary  Society,  Frederick  county, 

Va  per  Rev.  Mr.  Meade   100  00 

23,        Ditto    Mrs.  E.  Murdock  of  Fredericktown..         30  00 

28,        Ditto    Joseph  Avery  of  Conway,  Mass   10  00 

May  30,  Ditto  Vermont  Aux.  Society,  per  C.  Wright  100  00 
July       16,        Ditto     Frederick  county,  Va.  do.  per  Rev. 

Mr.  Meade,  proceeds  5  Hds.  Tob.        185  08 
28,        Ditto    Putnam,  Geo.  do.  by  W.  Turner....  50  00 

August    7,       Ditto    H.  Hill,  from  Rev.  L.  L.  Barstow  for 

collection  in  Keene,  N.  H.  4  July         16  25 

8,        Ditto    Joseph  Cowan,  Staunton,  Va   5  00 

Ditto    Rev.  Alvan  Hyde,  collections  in  Lee, 

Mass.  4  July   6  00 

Ditto    Rev.  N.  Willis,  collections  in  Park- 
Street  Church,  Boston,  4  July .. ..  80  00 
August   11,        Ditto    From  Massachusetts  Society  to  aid 

in  the  suppression  of  the  slave-trade        500  00 

14,  Ditto    A  lawyer  at  Orrill,  N.  Y.  the  balance 

of  costs  in  a  suit  between  2  col.  men  3  00 

27,        Ditto    H.  Malcom,  Hudson,  N.  Y.  collection 

on  4  July,  without  previous  notice  5  00 

Sept.      11,        Ditto    Piatt  Stout,  Cor.  Sec.  of  Aux.  Soc. 

Maysville,  Ken   20  00 

15,  Ditto  Chris.  E.  Gadsden,  Charleston,  S.  C.  50  00 
25,        Ditto    H.  Doyle,  Tr.  Aux.  Soc.  Fred.  co.  Md.       200  00 

Ditto  Nath.  Burwell,  Va.  per  J.  Von  Rieser  2oO  00 
Ditto    Mary  Peters,  Newhaven,  of  which 

$7  70  were  a  donation  of  her  pupils         15  00 
Ditto    F.Anderson,  Hagerstown,  from  him- 
self and  2  friends  of  the  Society...         10  00 
Nov.       7,       Ditto    Mary  Dean,  of  New-Hampshire   30  00 


47 


Nov.        7,  Cash  from  N.  Willis,  of  Boston,  per  D.  C   $2  00 

10,  Ditto  E.  Worrell,  Tr.  Aux.  Soc.  Wilm.  Del.  50  00 
1*5,        Ditto    Mrs.  Sarah  Charles,  of  Morris,  N.  J.  1  00 

Ditto    Sarah  Canfield,  of  do   1  50 

Ditto    Robert  Finley,  of  Baskinridge,  do...  2  50 

19,        Ditto    Donation  from  the  Dedham,  Mass. 

Female  Society  for  educating  Hea- 
then Youth   40  00 

Ditto    An  advance  by  said  Soc.  for  educating 

2  col.  youth  at  Cape  Montserado         40  00 
24,        Ditto    From  Miss.  Sarah  Black,  on  account 

of  the  Fern.  Aux.  Soc.  Wilm.  Del.         20  00 
26,        Ditto    J.  M.  Smith,  Schenectady,  N.  York  6  00 

Dec.         1,        Ditto    Neahani  L.  Washington,  of  Va.  sub.         20  00 
2,       Ditto    Mary  L.  Custis,  of  Georgetown....*  5  00 

Ditto    Bushrod  Washirgton..   100  00 

Ditto    L.  D.  Dennis,  "President,  N.  York....        100  00 

6,  Ditto  J.  Marshall,  Tr.  Aux.  Soc.  Richmond  450  00 
S,        Ditto    Rev.  Hor.  Gilpin,  Lannington,  N.  J.  3  00 

]7,        Ditto    Miss  Eliz.  Stewart,  contents  of  a  cha- 
rity box  •   16  00 

Ditto    From  a  friend  «   50 

Ditto    J.  W.  Ross  collected  from  the  Presb. 

Congregation.  Chambersburg,  Pa.  5  00 

13,        Ditto    Jeduthain  Loomis,  Treas.  Vermont 

Auxiliary  Society   355  00 

19,        Ditto    Miss  A.  Stewart   5  00 

Ditto    Rev.  D.  Asherman,  Knoxville,  Ten.  5  00 

Ditto    Rev.  R.  Post,  of  Washington,  collect- 
ed at  monthly  concerts  for  prayer         14  00 
Dec.       31,        Ditto    Gabriel  P.  Disoway,  Tr.  Aux.  Soc. 

Petersburg,  Va   550  00 

1824. 

Jan.         7,        Ditto    B.  New-York   5  00 

Ditto    Anson  Brook,  Treasurer  Aux.  Soc. 

Portsmouth,  Va   62  00 

13,  Ditto    Rev.  Ch.H.  Page  of  Charleston,  Va. 

for  col.  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hawley..  15  00 

14,  Ditto    Obed.  Waite,  Tr.  Aux.  Soc.  Fred- 

erick county,  Va   275  00 

29,        Ditto    Aux.  Soc.  Queen  Ann  co.  Maryland, 

per  William  M'Kenney   100  00 

Feb.         5,        Ditto    Hon.  D.  Garrison,  amount  collected 
in  the  Rev.  George  W.  JauvierVs 
church,  Salem,  N.  Jersey........  _      5  06 

Ditto  E.  B.  Caldwell,  amount  collected  in 
the  church  of  Rev.  Jos.  Caldwell, 
Chapel!  Hill,  N.  C   10  00 

7,  Ditto    Rev.  Ch.  Hyde,  of  Doylestown,  Pa. 

amount  collected  in  his  church....  10  00 

12,  Ditto  J.  M'Phail,  Tr.  Aux.  Soc.  Norfolk..  200  00 
21,        Ditto    Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley,  for  collections 

at  the  gen.  meeting  in  the  Capitol         16  00 

7,020  94 


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APPENDIX. 


PAPER  A. 

Papers  containing  Correspondence  of  Captain  Rober*  T.  Spence, 
Dr.  Eli  Jlyresy  and  J.  Ashmun,  relating  to  the  Establishment 
at  Cape  Montserado. 

Vr.  Ashmun,  acting  Agent  at  Cape  Montserado,  to  the  Secretary 
of  the  Navy. 

Cape  Montserado,  November  26th,  1822,  (morning.) 

Sir  :  I  had  the  honour  of  writing  yon  by  the  Shark,  on  the 
9th  ultimo,  and,  subsequently,  by  the  "Strong,"  in  a  very 
weak  and  sickly  condition.  We  are  now  engaged  in  a  bloody 
and  perilous  war  with  all  the  native  tribes  around  us.  On  the 
morning  of  the  11th,  were  attacked  by  eight  hundred,  who 
were  repulsed,  after  doing  us  some  injury,  with  the  loss  of 
nearly  one  hundred  killed  on  the  spot. 

Subsequently,  we  have  been  employed  in  a  negotiation  for 
peace,  which  I  fear  will  fail.  We  expect  another  assault  to 
be  made  on  us  in  two  or  three  days.  The  force  is  powerful 
in  numbers,  poorly  armed,  and  cowardly.  We  hope,  with 
God's  help,  to  hold  out  till  aid  arrives  from  some  quarter. 
Now,  if  a  vessel  of  war  lay  in  the  road,  all  these  hostile  move- 
ments would  probably  have  been  prevented. 

The  spirits  and  health  of  our  little  number  are  much  better 
than  could  be  expected.  Wre  have  six  guns  mounted  on  our 
lines,  which  we  have  supported  by  a  musket  shot-proof  bar- 
ricade. We  have  so  constructed  them  as  to  include  onty 
about  two-thirds  of  the  town,  the  families  without  retiring 
within. 

I  am  nearly  reinstated  in  the  enjoyment  of  health.  We 
are  obliged  to  increase  our  stock  of  provisions,  ammunition, 
inc.  by  every  vessel  arriving  in  tfte  road,  provided  she  have 
them. 

I  have  this  day  drawn  on  Mr.  Beattie  for  $272  10,  and  en- 
close you,  sir,  herewith,  the  bill  of  Captain  Daily.  WTe  very 
much  need  an  increase  of  our  numbers  ;  men  with  no,  or  with 
small,  families  ;  more-  hard  shot,  provisions  and  clothing,  stone 
and  other  masons 

a 


50 


Wc  can  now,  with  difficulty,  muster  thirty  men  lit  for  duty. 
These  are  obliged  to  stand  upon  their  arms  night  and  day  ; 
but,  with  a  sufficient  supply  of  good  provisions  and  clothing, 
the  habit  will  eventually  set  easy,  and  occasion  no  waste  of 
constitutional  vigour. 

I  shall  endeavour  to  do  my  own  duty,  and  make  the  people 
do  theirs.  Human  weakness  can  reach  no  further.  The  two 
additional  guns  at  Norfolk,  twenty-five  soldiers,  and  the  for- 
tifications spoken  of  in  the  preceding  letter,  (which,  from  the 
abundance  of  stone  on  the  very  ground,  can  soon  be  erected) 
in  my  opinion,  would  secure  to  us  a  peace  as  lasting  and  uni- 
versal as  could  be  desired  ;  white  the  people  of  the  agency 
could  pursue  the  work  for  which  they  came  to  Africa,  and  im- 
provements in  husbandry  and  the  arts  rapidly  extend  their 
influence  in  this  part  of  Africa. 

I  have  the  honour,  sir,  to  be,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

J.  ASHMUN, 
Acting  Agent  for  liberated  Africans. 


November  26th,  (Evening.) 

Sir  :  Our  negotiation  with  our  perfidious  enemie-s  seems 
to  have  entirely  failed  of  its  object.  They  are  bent  on  our 
ruin.  We  can  only  resolve  to  stand,  and  wait  assistances. 
The  presence  of  one  vessel  of  war  would  deter  them  forever 
from  attacking  the  settlement.  Ten  additional  labourers,  with 
one  or  two  well  acquainted  with  stone-mason  work,  united 
with  what  assistance  we  could  give  them,  would,  in  four 
weeks  time,  complete  a  tower,  battery,  and  wall,  which,  I 
beg  leave  to  repeat,  would  so  entirely  command  the  whole 
surrounding  country,  as  to  ensure  here,  as  it  has  invariably 
done  elsewhere,  perpetual  peace,  or  something  very  nearly 
resembling  it.  We  have  only  had  time  to  begin  the  labour  ; 
and,  while  our  people  all  lie  on  their  arms  nearly  every  night, 
never  can  finish  it.  Permit  us,  sir,  in  these  circumstances, 
to  hope  for  the  aid  asked,  without  being  disappointed. 

To  aggravate  our  other  losses,  we  have  had  seven  of  our 
children  carried  captive  ;  the  oldest  about  twelve.  We  hear 
from  them  daily  ;  they  appear  to  be  as  well  treated  as  savage 
tenderness  knows  how  to  express  itself  towards  them  Ac- 
cording to  a  custom  of  the  Country,  it  may  be  confidently  ex- 
pected the  children  will  be  restored,  of  course,  on  the  settle- 
ment ot  peace. 

Kespectfullv,  your  obedient  servant, 

^  J.  A. 


Loss  on  the  dmcrican  side,  in  the  engagement  of  the  Wth. 
Killed,  1  man,  1  woman  ;  mortally  injured,  and  since  dead, 
1  man  ;  desperately  do.  1  woman  and  1  man,  by  bursting  his 
own  musket ;  badly  do.  2  men  ;  slightly  do.  1  woman  ;  car- 
ried captive,  7  children.    Whole  number  of  sufferers,  15. 

J.  ASHMUN, 
Hon.  Smith  Thompson,  Sec'ry  JVavy  of  the  United  States, 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  J.  Ash/nun,  Acting  Agent  of  the  United 
States  for  liberated  Africans,  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Wavy, 
dated 

American  Agency,  Cape  Montserado,  December  7th,  1823. 

"  In  haste,  I  beg  leave  to  inform  you  that,  on  Sunday  morn- 
ing last,  the  2d,  we  sustained,  with  the  loss  of  1  killed 
and  2  badly  wounded,  a  second  attack  of  the  natives  ;  their 
numbers  are  rated  at  1,500. 

The  Africans  sent  here  by  the  government  of  the  United 
States  are  all  still  unhurt,  with  the  exception  of  the  one 
wounded  by  the  bursting  of  his  own  piece. 

Our  whole  fighting  force,  including  10  of  the  African  youth*, 
is  now  25.  We  have  lost,  in  killed  and  wounded,  in  the  ac- 
tions of  the  11th  November,  and  2d  inst.  7  of  our  best  men. 
We  are  at  present  reinforced  by  13  men,  marines,  under  the 
command  of  a  Midshipman,  belonging  to  his  B.  M.  ship  the 
Driver,  provisioned  for  six  weeks;  and  whose  detention  here, 
for  that  time,  will  cause  no  charge  to  the  American  govern- 
ment. A  promising  negotiation  has  been  opened  by  Captain 
Laing,  Bt.  Lt.  Infantry,  passenger  hi  the  schooner  "  Prince 
Regent,"  from  whom  we  obtained  our  men,  and  a  moderate 
audition  to  our  ammunition.  No  bill  of  it  has  been  present- 
ed.   It  consists  of 

2  bbls.  (lOOlbs.  each)  Cannon  Powder. 
28    do.  6  lb.  Shot. 
1000  Musket  Balls,  and 

1  keg  of  Musket  Cartridges. 
But  Captain  Laing's  exertions  in  negotiating  a  peace,  and 
probably  securing  to  us  a  truce,  has  laid  the  American  gov- 
ernment and  Society  under  the  greatest  obligations.  They 
positively  refused  to  treat,  freely,  with  an  American  ;  but 
promised,  on  penalty  of  the  severest  visitation,  to  abide  by 
whatever  terms  the  English,  through  Governor  McCarthy 
shall  prescribe.   I  had  begun  to  treat  with  them  often  before 
but,  invariably,  they  violated  their  promises,  and,  finally,  as- 
sured us  they  would  die  in  the  struggle,  or  destroy  us  ;  and 
fully  convinced  me  that  all  overtures  for  peace  were  fruitless. 


52 

till  they  had  suffered  another  repulse.  This  they  have  suf- 
fered, and,  in  this  situation,  Captain  Laing  found  them.  Be 
assured,  sir,  that  British  mediation  shall  extend,  in  this  busi- 
ness, to  no  improper  length,  if  I  live,  and  have  wisdom  to 
judge  correct!}'  on  the  subject.  The  calling  in  of  their  aid  I 
believe  to  have  been  absolutely  necessary  to  our  existence 
here  20  days  longer,  and  the  promptness  with  which  it  came, 
evinced  it  to  be  the  dictate  of  friendship,  and  sensibility  of 
feeling. 

I  can,  sir,  affirm,  with  confidence,  that  at  least  2000  slaves 
are  annually  shipped  from  the  Bay  made  by  the  projection  of 
Capes  Mount  and  Montserado  ;  an  armed  vessel  stationed 
there,  and  24  soldiers  ashore,  would  divert  the  traffic  at  least 
to  some  other  part  of  the  coast,  and  greatly  reduce  its  ex- 
tent." 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  J.  Ashmun  to  Capt.  Spence,  dated 
Cape  Montserado,  March  31,  1823. 
Sir  :  Owing  to  the  extraordinary  reverses  to  which  the 
establishment  at  this  place,  including  an  asylum  for  liberated 
captives,  and  a  colony  of  free  coloured  people,  from  the  Unit- 
ed States,  has  been  subjected  ;  and  the  circumstance  of  no 
vessel  arriving  from  America  with  supplies,  during  thrs  trying 
period  ;  we  are  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  applying  to  you 
for  such  relief  and  supplies  as  our  more  urgent  wants  require, 
and  your  situation  may  enable  you  to  furnish. 

The  absence  of  a  small  armed  vessel  from  the  roads  of 
Montserado,  certainly  invited  those  aggressions  of  the  native 
tribes,  in  consequence  of  which,  all  our  improvements  have 
been  nearly  suspended  for  several  months,  and  the  settlement 
surrounded  with  the  horrours  of  a  savage  war. 

A  slight  insight  into  the  policy  of  these  tribes,  will  discover 
that  they  never  will  venture  to  assail  an  establishment  on  shore, 
which  has  the  support  of  even  the  most  inconsiderable  naval 
force.  Your  foresight  has  produced  for  us  this  important 
means  of  security,  by  repairing,  manning,  and  allotting  to  the 
protection  of  the  establishment,  the  schooner  Augusta  ;  her 
presence  at  Montserado  will  likewise  have  a  most  salutary 
influence  in  checking  the  sale  and  transportation  of  slaves  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  the  Cape. 

These  inhuman  practices,  1  regret  to  state,  are  to  the  pre- 
sent hour  continued  here,  without  restraint  or  disguise.  Per- 
mit me  to  suggest  the  propriety  of  an  application  to  our  gov- 
ernment to  have  this  vessel  commissioned,  to  employ  her  force 
against  such  American  vessels  as  may  visit  that  part  of  the 


63 


coast  included  between  the  Capes  Mount  and  Montserado. 
This  service  she  might,  in  my  opinion,  render  the  cause  of 
humanity,  without  the  least  detriment  to  that  to  which  she  is 
specifically  appointed. 

I  have  already  had  the  honour  to  represent  to  our  gov- 
ernment my  views,  in  relation  not  only  to  the  utility,  but  the 
absolute  necessity  of  an  efficient  and  well  constructed  work  of 
defence,  both  for  our  security  against  the  insults  and  aggres- 
sions of  the  natives,  and  to  add  respectability  to  the  establish- 
ment, in  the  estimation  of  foreigners.  Since  those  represen- 
tations were  communicated,  we  have  unhappily  been  able  to 
add  the  corroborative  testimony  of  experience  to  their  truth 
and  importance.  The  native  tribes,  lured  on  by  the  hopes  of 
getting  possession  of  our  stores,  and  observing  nothing  for- 
midable in  our  means  of  defence,  have  attempted,  by  the  ut- 
most exertion  of  their  power,  our  extermination;  and  a  ship 
of  war  was  actually  sent  by  the  acting  commander  of  a  large 
naval  force,  employed  on  this  coast,  to  erect  a  foreign  flag  in 
the  midst  of  our  settlement,  and  transfer  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  Cape  and  neighbouring  coast,  and  the  allegiance  of  our 
people,  to  his  own  government !  To  such  insults  and  injuries 
the  establishment  must  always  consider  to  be  liable  while 
destitute  of  the  work  in  question.  A  just  regard  to  the  cha- 
racter of  the  nation  imperiously  demands,  in  my  opinion,  that 
the  agency  which  it  has  seen  fit  to  establish  on  this  coast,  foi 
the  most  benevolent  of  purposes,  should  enjoy  such  a  protec- 
tion. 1  am  happy,  sir.  to  perceive  that,  on  this  subject,  your 
views  perfectly  accord  with  my  own  ;  and  was  prepared  on 
your  arrival  to  ask  for  a  part  of  the  aid,  which,  in  anticipation 
of  any  request  on  my  part,  you,  sir,  so  promptly  offered  from 
your  ship,  for  the  erection  of a  permanent and powerful  fortifi- 
cation. The  labour  and  expense  which  the  entire  comple- 
tion of  this  work  will  require,  must  necessarily  be  consider- 
able— but  its  utility  will  be  still  greater  ;  and  I  have  that 
confidence  in  the  wisdom  and  liberality  of  our  government, 
that  I  would  cheerfully  share  any  pecuniary  responsibility 
incurred  in  its  erection,  although  without  the  authority  of  a 
specific  or  ler. 

Vitally  connected  with  the  welfare  of  the  settlement,  is  the 
preservation  of  the  lives,  and,  as  far  as  possible,  the  health, 
of  the  agents  of  Government.  Nothing  will  contribute  more 
essentially  this  desirable  end  than  a  comfortable  habitation  , 
several  valuable  lives  have  been  unquestionably  sacrificed  for 
want  of  this  convenience,  and,  in  alluding  to  this  subject,  the  re- 
collection of  an  irreparable  personal  loss,  powerfully  intrudes 
itself  upon  my  feelings.  The  accompanying  circumstances 
were  distressing  :  a  female,  of  most  delicate  constitution,  lying 


S4 


under  the  influence  of"  a  mortal  fever,  in  the  corner  of  a  mist 
rable  hut,  (to  ventilate  which  in  a  proper  manner  was  im- 
possible,) on  a  couch  literally  dripping  with  water,  which  a 
roof  of  thatch  was  unable  to  exclude  ;  recovery  under  such 
circumstances  was  impossible  :  and  the  mortal  struggle  almost 
brought  relief  to  the  agonised  feelings  of  surviving  friendship. 

A  due  regard  to  the  preservation  of  my  own  life,  and  that  of 
my  successors,  determined  me  to  erect  a  comfortable  house  for 
the  residence  of  the  agents ;  but  destitute  both  of  suitable  materi- 
als and  of  good  mechanics,  I  could  hardly  have  effected  my  pur- 
pose without  the  aid,  in  both  these  respects,  which  has  been 
received  from  the  Cyane.  Against  the  important  advantages 
of  having  a  commodious  house  erected  at  this  time  in  the  set- 
tlement, no  judicious  person  will  weigh  the  expenses  incurred 
by  the  purchase  of  lumber,  and  the  subsistence  and  pay  of 
the  workmen.  The  house  is  nearly  completed,  in  a  most 
airy  situation,  and  commands  one  of  the  finest  prospects  in 
Western  Africa. 

The  propriety  of  soliciting  the  aid  of  workmen  from  on 
board  the  ship  under  your  command,  will,  I  hope,  Sir,  be  ob- 
vious, when  1  inform  you,  that,  of  o#r  small  company  of  la- 
bourers, consisting  only  of  thirty  individuals,  seven  of  the  ve- 
ry best  were  either  killed,  or  entirely  disabled,  in  our  con- 
flicts with  the  natives,  and  that,  the  want  of  mechanical  skill 
aside,  the  remainder  are,  to  the  present  hour,  obliged  to  mount 
guard  every  second  night.  Without  help  from  the  ship,  we 
must  either  have  left  these  works  unattempted  or  unfinished, 
or  have  accomplished  them  in  a  most  rude  and  unappropriate 
style. 

The  other  improvements,  to  which  the  industry  of  a  number 
of  your  crew  has  been  directed,  are  scarcely  less  important  ; 
and  altogether  will  afford  us  that  security  against  external  an- 
noyance, and  those  domestic  accommodations,  during  a  rainy 
season  of  several  months  continuance,  which  we  could  not 
otherwise  have  hoped  to  enjoy. 

To  R.  T.  Spence,  Esq. 

Commanding  U.  SIiip-Vy(rae,  off  Moniserado. 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  Capt.  R.  T.  Spence  to  J.  Jlshmun. 
U.  S.  Ship  Cyane,  Western  Africa,  Montserado,  1st  April,  1823. 

Sir:  Your  communication  of  the  3 1st  ult.  I  have  had  the 
honour  to  receive.  Arriving  on  the  coast  of  Africa  after  a 
long  cruise  in  the  West  Indies,  with  my  crew  enfeebled  by  the 
heat  of  that  climate,  my  own  health  in  a  precarious  state,  and 
That  of  some  of  my  officers  equally,  I  should  have  felt  it  my  du- 


ty  to  return,  after  a  short  tarry,  immediately  to  the  itniteo 
States,  had  it  not  been  for  circumstances  the  most  unexpect- 
ed. Informed  of  your  destitute  situation,  occasioned  by  the 
disasters  of  a  war  brought  on  by  difficulties  growing  out  of  the 
nature  of  your  settlement ;  moved  by  a  sympathy  and  com- 
miseration which  suffering  ought  always  to  excite  ;  wholly 
regardless  of  all  personal  sacrifice,  I  assumed  a  responsibility 
the  emergency  doubtless  will  justify  ;  and,  in  anticipation  of 
your  requisition,  provided  such  a  supply  of  necessary  subsis- 
tence as  will  enable  you  to  go  through  the  approaching  rain? 
without  fear  of  famine — thereby  ensuring,  I  trust,  your  Jinal 
success. 

The  officers  and  crew  of  the  Cyane  have  been  engaged, 
day  and  night,  in  repairing,  and  getting  in  readiness  for  the 
service  for  which  she  will  hereafter  be  applied,  the  schooner 
Augusta,  found  at  Sierra  Leone,  deserted,  and  nearly  destroyed. 
1  shall  leave  her  ofi  the  coast  when  I  go  hence,  in  a  condition 
not  less  good  than  when  first  launched,  with  exception  of  her 
copper,  which,  however,  will  be  sufficient  for  several  years  to 
come  ;  she  is  placed  in  charge  of  a  careful  officer,  well  pro- 
vided, and  suitably  armed.  I  promise  myself  that  much  good 
will  result  from  her  continued  presence,  and  trust  that  your 
oWn  expectations  will  be  fully  realized,  from  her  remaining  ia 
the  vicinity  of  the  Cape. 

It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  contribute  to  your  personal 
comfort ;  not  so  much  to  your  comfort  in  accommodation,  as 
to  rescuing  you  fiom  a  hovel,  which  a  continuance  in  would 
almost  forbid  a  hope  of  yous  recovery  :  and  which,  from  the 
Surgeon's  report,  I  am  induced  to  believe  would  ensure  your 
death  during  the  ensuing  rainy  season. 

The  tower  I  have  commenced,  I  trust  will  prove  to  you  a 

tower  of  strength  ;"  the  impression  it  is  calculated  to  make, 
the  security  it  cannot  fail  to  afford,  will  produce  a  two-fold 
operation  ;  and  be  of  infinite  importance  in  many  respect*,  all 
of  which  are  too  obvious  to  require  exposition. 


Monrovia,  June  18,  IP.23. 
Sir  :  We  arrived  at  Montserndo  on  the  21th  May,  after  a 
passage  of  thirty- two  days  from  Cape-Henry.  1  rind  the  Qo- 
Ionists  have  all  been  employed  by  Captain  Spcnce,  since  hi- 
arrival  here,  on  a  fortification,  which  was  not  completed  when 
I  arrived.  A  few  days  after  I  arrived,  about  one-sixth  part 
of  wall  tumbled  to  its  base,  and  the  rest  has  given  way  in 
every  direction.  I  believe  it  will  be  less  work  to  build  anew 
one,  than  to  repair  the  old.  Previousto  the  attack  of  the  native^, 
our  people  had  got  gardens  enclosed,  and  vegetables  flourish- 


56 


ing  finely  ;  and,  had  it  not  been  for  this  event,  and  they  could 
have  had  a  small  part  of  their  labour  to  bestow  on  their  lots, 
they  would  have  been  amply  prepared  to  have  maintained  them 
selves  ;  but,  when  the  enemy  came  upon  them,  they  were  ob- 
liged to  take  up  their  garden  fences  to  make  a  palisade  of  de- 
fence. Their  gardens  were  all  destroyed,  and  not  so  much  as  a 
hill  of  beans  is  growing  in  the  colony.  The  rainy  season  has 
now  fully  commenced,  and  very  little  labour  can  be  done  until 
the  next  dry  season,  which  will  be  in  November. 

This  will  make  it  necessary  to  continue  the  labourers  at 
the  public  expense  longer  than  I  had  contemplated  in  my  for 
mer  report,  as  I  had  expected  a  much  more  favourable  state 
of  affairs  here. 

One  of  the  captured  Africans  was  killed  in  the  battle,  and 
there  is  much  jealousy  of  the  natives  against  them,  for  fear  of 
retaliation  for  their  being  sold. — I  would  therefore  respect- 
fully recommend  to  Government,  not  to  send  out  any  more 
captured  Africans,  until  the  requisite  buildings  can  be  erected, 
and  a  regular  establishment  made  for  them.  Should  it  please 
God  to  restore  my  health  and  preserve  my  life,  this  will  be 
accomplished  in  the  dry  season,  and  a  regular  system  of  man- 
agement entered  upon,  when  any  number  likely  to  be  in  the 
possession  of  Government  could  be  managed.  But.  should  I 
be  called  away  by  death,  it  would  be  highly  dangerous,  from 
the  spirit  which  these  have  manifested,  to  multiply  their  num- 
ber, without  more  efficient  government  being  held  over  them 
than  has  been. 

If  it  should  please  God  to  spare  my  life,  I  will  endeavour  to 
have  the  building  erected  early  in  the  next  season. 

A  fatality  has  attended  every  proceeding  on  this  afFair  ;  but, 
if  1  live,  and  am  supported  so  I  can  stay  here,  I  hope  soon  to 
alter  matters,  and  set  them  on  a  better  footing  ;  but,  should  any 
of  the  common  casualties  happen  the  trading  company  form- 
ed in  Baltimore,  that  they  should  fail  to  comply  with  their 
contract,  and  I  find  myself  neglected  by  both  Government  and 
Society,  out  of  provisions,  clothing,  &c.  I  shall  leave  the  place, 
and  the  cause,  in  despair. 

The  U.  S.  schooner  Augusta  has  undergone  a  partial  re- 
pair, but  so  slightly  that  she  was  thought  to  be  hardly  seawor- 
thy ;  But  Mr.  Dashiell,  who  was  left  in  command  of  her,  has 
ventured  in  her  to  Sierra  Leone,  to  get  some  further  repairs, 
to  enable  him  to  ride  out  the  rains.  He  was  in  a  very  bad 
state  of  health.  This  system  of  repairing,  out  here,  is  very 
expensive,  and  is  partially  done,  and  poorly  commanded  and 
manned,  as  to  be  of  no  service  to  the  colony.  I  beg  leave  to 
press,  with  the  utmost  urgency,  as  a  security  to  the  captured 
Africans,  and  the  success  of  this  cause,  that  Government 
keep  here  a  vessel  prudently  commanded  and  well  manned. 


5? 


There  is  but  one  man  who  came  out  with  me,  but  what  is 
down  with  the  fever.  I  was  taken  a  week  ago,  and  have  not* 
been  able  to  see  them  since  ;  but  they  are  all  doing  well. 
We  have  five  deaths,  most  of  them  from  foolish  obstinacy.  I 
hope  the  worst  is  over  with  me.  I  have  got  so  I  can  sit  up  a 
few  minutes  at  a  time,  in  which  way  this  letter  i^  written.  I 
have  the  honour  to  be,  your  most  obedient,      E.  AYRES. 

The  Hon.  Smith  Thompson, 

Secretary  Navy  U.  S. 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  Captain  Robert  T.  Spence  to  the  Secre* 
tary  of  the  Navy,  dated 

United  States1  Ship  Cyane, 
Quarantine  Ground,  New-York,  June  27,  1823. 

"  After  an  absence  of  twelve  months  from  the  United  States, 
in  the  West  Indies  and  on  the  coast  of  Africa,  1  have  the  ho- 
nour to  announce  my  arrival  at  this  anchorage  ;  last  trom  a 
cruise  among  the  Windward  Islands. 

Up  to  the  24th  March,  on  which  day  my  latest  communica- 
tions were  addressed  to  you  from  Sierra  Leone,  you  have 
been  made  acquainted  with  my  official  proceedings.  Under 
that  date,  I  informed  you  of  the  precarious  situation  of  the  co- 
lony at  Cape  Montserado,  and  of  my  intention  to  take  prompt 
and  effectual  steps  for  its  rescue  and  preservation.  The 
schooner  Augusta  having  been  speedily  equipped  and  made 
ready  for  sea  by  the  activity  of  my  officers,  and  such  supply 
of  necessary  articles  as  would  relieve  the  immediate  wants  of 
the  colonists  taken  on  board,  together  with  about  forty  Kroo 
men,  (whose  labour  had  been  secured,  free  of  any  expeuse  to 
the  United  States,)  I  proceeded  without  a  moments  delay  to 
the  settlement,  examining  with  due  care  the  intermediate  coast. 

On  my  anchoring,  after  a  short  passage,  at  Cape  Montseradoj 
I  received  from  Mr.  Ashmun,  the  resident  agent,  a  letter  (see 
p.  52,)  which  with  other  communications,  hereto  appended, 
disclose  the  indigent  and  distressed  condition  of  the  colony, 
and  forcibly  show  that  my  arriv  al  was  not  only  most  oppor- 
tune, and  my  anticipation  of  their  wants  provident,  but,  in 
every  respect,  essential  to  their  future  safety  and  preserva- 
tion. The  presence  of  the  ship  at  this  critical  juncture,  ap- 
peared indeed  providential  :  for,  without  the  succour  it  wag 
my  good  fortune  to  afford,  every  thing  might  have  been  ap- 
prehended.    A  renewal  of  war  was  in  agitation  among  the 

*  The  word  not  is  left  out  in  the  original,  and  inserted  here,  as  it  is  ap- 
parent it  should  have  been  in  the  ori^inn' 

H 


68 

hostile  princes  j  and,  from  all  '.ve  could  leani,  and  observe,  the 
conclusion  was  unavoidable,  that  the  entire  extermination  ot 
the  colonists  must  have  been  the  consequence.  The  head 
men  were  in  the  highest  degree  exasperated,  appearing  in  no 
manner  inclined  to  be  appeased  ;  declaring  that  they  had  ne- 
ver entertained  a  design  of  selling  the  Cape  ;  that  they  had 
been  overreached  ;  that  they  never  possessed  a  full  under- 
standing of  the  agreement,  (or  "  book,")  and,  finally,  that  they 
never  had  sold,  and  never  would  consent  to  give  up,  Cape 
Montserado,  the  abode  of  one  of  their  ideal  beings,  of  super- 
stitious veneration  ! 

Having  made  such  provision  for  the  maintenance  of  the 
"  agency,"  during  the  approaching  inclement  season  of  the 
"  rains,"  (nearly  at  hand,)  and  by  a  friendly  intercourse  and 
other  means  mollified,  as  far  as  practicable,  the  excited  temper 
of  the  neighbouring  chiefs  ;  having  afforded  all  the  aid  to  the 
establishment,  which,  under  other  circumstances,  might 
have  been  deemed  sufficient  ;  my  own  health  much  im- 
paired, my  purser's  wholly  gone,  and  that  of  my  officers 
by  no  means  vigorous  ;  having  also  placed  a  suitable  ves- 
sel in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  colony,  a  cautionary 
measure,  which  should  not  be  relinquished  ;  I  should  have 
felt  justified,  considering  the  sickly  season  was  about  to  set  in. 
(particularly  as  the  stores  and  supplies  of  the  ship,  from  ex- 
traordinary calls,  had  become  inadequate  for  a  full  expendi- 
ture for  any  length  of  time,)  in  leaving  the  coast  for  the  Uni- 
ted States  :  but,  sir,  I  could  not  persuade  myself  to  adopt  this 
course,  while  much  remained  to  be  done  for  the  security  of  a 
settlement,  the  object  of  which  appears  to  be  fraught  with 
such  benefits  to  our  common  country  ;  especially  as  your  in- 
structions enjoined  on  me  to  do  every  thing  for  the  agent  and 
colonists  which  they  might  require  ;  and  it  being  the  object 
of  an  officer  to  acquire  the  Government's,  rather  tiian  his 
own,  approbation  ;  to  which  end,  I-  was  ready  to  encounter 
any  hardship,  and  to  make  any  sacrifice. 

The  cause  alleged,  on  the  part  of  the  chiefs,  for  making 
war  on  the  peaceable  settlers  at  Montserado,  is  merged  in  the 
statement  previously  given:  namely,  their  never  having  had 
any  intention  to  sell  the  Cape,  the  spot  consecrated  to  one  of 
their  deities,  or  beings  of  superstitious  idolatry  ;  that  collu- 
sion had  been  practised  in  the  purchase  ;•  that  it  was  not  a 
fair  and  fully  explained  contract,  as  they  were  ignorant  of  the 
paper  they  had  signed  ;  with  others  equally  absurd  and  falla- 
cious, founded  neither  in  reason  or  truth.  Such,  however, 
were  the  causes  set  forth  by  them,  in  the  various  interviews 
had  with  the  officers  of  this  ship,  during  our  stay,  for  their  in- 
excusable and  unprovoked  enmity.    But  other  latent  induce- 


59 


ments  existed,  far  more  operative,  which  doubtless  formed  the 
true,  and  only  cause  of  hostilities,  committed  by  them  on  an 
unoffending  people.  The  most  prominent  of  these  may  be 
discov  ered  in  the  embarrassments  thrown  in  the  way  of  the 
slave  traffick,  by  a  contiguous  active  check,  restraining,  by 
its  presence,  a  trade  they  never  can  willingly  forego  ;  as, 
also,  in  the  hope  they  entertained  of  being  able  to  obtain,  with- 
out risk  or  loss,  the  spoil  and  plunder  of  a  successful  war  :  for 
they  had  been  led  to  believe,  by  emissaries  sent  among  them 
by  slave  factors,  that  there  would  be  much  booty  of  stores, 
goods,  &c.  In  these  alluring  hopes  and  prospects,  at  all 
times  cogent  with  beings  of  their  propensities  and  uncivilized 
habits,  may  be  seen  the  reading  motives  for  attacking  the 
establishment  at  Cape  Montserado. 

Seeing  these  to  have  been  their  incitements  ;  apprehend- 
ing their  present  inaction  was  merely  a  truce  for  more  vigo- 
rous preparation  ;  finding  that  the  chieftains  were  far  from 
being  inclined  to  abandon  either  their  claims,  or  intentions, 
but  waited  only  for  a  season  better  suited  to  further  both  ; 
convinced,  also,  that  the  defenceless  condition  of  the  colony 
invited  aggression  ;  I  determined,  in  despite  of  the  plausible 
objections  my  own  mind  furnished  to  a  longer  continuance  on 
the  coast,  to  exert  myself,  during  the  short  period  I  was  per- 
mitted to  remain,  with  a  view  of  placing  the  settlement  in  the 
best  possible  state  of  defence.  This  wish  became  strengthen- 
ed by  information  receive*!  from  Dr.  Dix,  (whose  friendly 
and  social  interviews  with  the  Princes,  enabled  him  to  obtain 
much  useful  matter,)  that  another  attempt  on  the  colony  was 
positively  meditated,  when  the  season  inimical  to  the  health 
of  its  defenders  should  set  in  ;  that  they  were  sanguine  in  the 
hopes  of  then  accomplishing  their  object,  by  the  combined 
operation  of  war,  sickness,  and  famine.  My  determination, 
on  this  point,  received  also  additional  strength,  from  a  per- 
spective of  the  fatal  consequences  which  would  inevitably  re- 
sult from  renewed  incursions  on  the  part  of  these  barbarians  ; 
while  the  means  of  security  were  inadequate  to  inspire  confi- 
dence on  the  side  of  the  assailed,  or  apprehension  on  the  part 
of  the  assailants,  expulsion  was  certain.  The  entire  exter- 
mination of  a  remnant  of  colonists,  who,  confiding  in  promises 
made  them  previously  to  embarking,  had  consented  to  leave 
the  happiest  country  in  the  world,  to  sojourn  in  the  land  of 
their  forefathers,  was  not  only  possible,  but  too  probable  ; 
added  to  which,  the  loss  of  a  tooting,  happily  acquired,  in  a 
situation  second  to  none  on  the  whole  line  of  coast,  after  leav- 
ing Sierra  Leone,  and  the  consequent  extinction  of  all  future 
prospect  of  ever  being  again  able  to  effect  an  establishment  at 
-i  place  *o  eligible,  on  terms  so  advantageous  to  (he  Societv 


60 


and  creditable  to  those  who  negotiated  the  purchase.  A  Mai  - 
tella  Tower  I  conceived  well  suited  to  effect  the  object  in 
view  ;  a  fortress  of  this  character  was  desirable  on  many  ac- 
counts, nay,  appeared  indispensable,  not  only  to  the  end  of 
affording  protection,  and  giving  security  in  the  hour  of  inva- 
sion, but  as  being  also  the  best  calculated  to  produce  a  change 
of  policy  on  the  part  of  the  natives,  and  well  suited  to  make 
such  an  impression,  as  would  deter  them  from  a  renewal  of 
aggression,  and  thereby  prevent  the  calamitous  consequences 
justly  to  be  apprehended  :  at  all  events,  the  consequences  of 
harassing  and  vexatious  depredations.  Again,  I  considered  it 
expedient  to  make  also  a  proper  impression  on  the  minds  of 
foreigners,  jealous  of  an  establishment,  whose  continuance 
and  prosperity  threatens  an  annihilation  of  the  Slave  trade,  in 
that  particular  section  of  country  lying  adjacent  to  the  river 
Montserado  :  this,  with  me,  was  a  consideration  not  without  its 
influence.  The  foundation  of  the  fortress  being  commenced, 
with  the  assistance  of  the  Kroo-men,  its  progress  was  rapid  ; 
alacrity  gave  animation  and  activity,  and  promised  a  speedy 
completion  of  a  competent  defence.  In  fifteen  days,  a  circu- 
lar massive  work  of  stone,  measuring  one  hundred  and  twelve 
feet  in  circumference,  eight  feet  in  thickness,  and  ten  feet 
in  elevation,  was  seen  to  tower  above  the  surrounding  heights, 
commanding  the  site  for  the  town,  and  a  wide  range  of  the  cir- 
cumjacent country,  capable  of  intercepting,  by  its  position, 
any  movement,  made  either  within  or  without  the  bar  of  Mont- 
serado river.  In  my  expectations  I  was  not  disappointed. 
During  the  time  this  work  was  progressing,  I  had  frequent 
opportunities  of  discovering  its  effect,  in  neutralizing,  in  no 
small  degree,  the  menacing  designs  of  the  natives.  Every  day 
brought  me  additional  proof  of  a  change  in  their  intentions, 
wrought  by  an  amicable  and  conciliatory  conduct,  conjoined 
with  preparations  for  defence — formidable  to  any  eye,  but 
with  them,  to  all  appearance  impracticable.  I  was  happy  in 
perceiving  this  revolution  in  their  sentiments,  this  change  in 
their  designs  :  as  a  friendly  understanding  with  the  powerful 
chief*  of  the  neighbouring  villages,  is  the  true  policy  to  be  ob- 
served on  the  part  of  the  emigrants  at  Montserado.  While  this 
fortress  was  advancing,  other  operations,  calculated  in  an  emi- 
nent manner  to  improve  the  settlement,  were  also  undertaken 
and  carried  through  :  indeed,  nothing  was  left  undone  which 
I  had  the  power  to  do  ;  conceiving  that  both  the  spirit  and 
letter  of  your  instructions  required  the  performance  of  every 
thing  which  a  limited  means  rendered  practicable,  tending  in 
any  way  to  ensure  the  success  of  an  establishment  instituted 
for  colonizing  the  free  men  of  colour  of  the  United  States,  and 
for  the  reception  of  captured  emancipated  slaves  :  object-. 


61 


commanding  the  approbation  of  every  humane  heart,  and  the 
benedictions  of  thousands,  who  are  to  be  benefitted  by  their 
accomplishment.  While  I  witnessed  with  satisfaction  these 
laudable  undertakings  drawing  to  a  completion,  I  felt  no  small 
impatience  to  leave  the  coast  before  the  commencement  of 
the  "  rains" — frequent  tornadoes,  warning  me  of  their  ap- 
proach, leaving  impressions  on  my  mind  by  no  means  tending 
to  reconcile  me  to  a  stay  of  many  days.  The  health  of  my 
crew  was,  at  this  time,  comparatively  good,  considering  the 
length  of  time  we  had  experienced  the  debilitating  effect  of 
tropical  heat,  and  I  felt  no  small  anxiety  to  preserve  them  in 
this  state,  for  the  service  they  were  yet  to  encounter  in  the 
West  Indies — a  hope  fondly  indulged,  but  in  which  I  was 
cruelly  disappointed. 

Our  labours  ivere  nearly  at  a  close,  when  my  Surgeon  was 
suddenly  taken  down,  and  on  the  sixth  da_>  was  no  more  !  The 
sick  list  received  several  names  in  the  course  of  a  few  days  ; 
cases  at  first  apparently  slight,  speedily  assumed  the  symp- 
toms of  the  coast  fever!  The  appearance  of  this  disease  de- 
termined me,  especially  as  the  castle  was  finished,  to  delay 
no  time  in  removing  from  the  coast.  In  pursuance  of  this 
resolution,  the  crew  were  forthwith  embarked,  and  the  ship 
immediately  put  to  sea.  This  measure,  carried  into  effect 
with  promptitude,  encouraged  a  hope  that  there  would  be  an 
end  to  a  malady  understood  to  be  peculiar  to  the  African 
coast,  generated  by  the  miasma  and  poisonous  exhalations  from 
vegetable  decomposition  and  a  deleterious  atmosphere,  thrown 
from  waters  which,  after  the  annual  deluge  has  subsided,  be- 
come stagnant  and  pestilential. 

Such  was  my  expectations,  from  so  salutary  a  change  ;  this 
expectation  doubtless  would  have  been  realized,  had  the 
winds  been  sufficiently  fresh  and  favourable  to  have  enabled 
us  to  reach,  in  a  short  time,  a  higher  latitude.  It  was  not, 
however,  our  good  fortune  to  be  thus  propitiated — but  the 
reverse  was  our  lot — fogs,  calms,  with  an  alternation  of  rains 
and  intense  suns,  rendered  our  situation  truly  deplorable,  and 
rapidly  increased  our  sick  list,  so  that,  on  the  25th  of  April, 
seven  days  after  putting  the  ship  to  sea,  the  sick  report  con- 
tained the  names  of  sixty  of  my  officers  and  crew,  and  was 
for  some  time  diminished  only  by  death — not  in  fact  diminish- 
ed, for  death  but  made  room  for  others,  brought  down  with 
similar  symptoms,  and  threatened  with  a  similar  fate.  The 
extreme  humidity  of  the  atmosphere,  and  the  confined  state 
of  the  ship,  in  consequence  of  torrents  of  rain,  had  changed, 
in  a  great  degree,  the  character  of  this  distemper,  giving  it 
all  the  features  of  the  typhus.  The  symptoms  were  not  al- 
together exclusively  those  attendant  on  this  fever  ;  they  as 


62 


Sumed  a  Compound  and  multifarious  appearance,  not  always 
equally  violent,  but  in  most  cases  equally  fatal.  In  many  in- 
stances, a  general  suffusion  took  place,  the  body  exhibiting  a 
deep  yellow  tinge,  together  with  a  highly  discoloured  tongue  ; 
delirium,  madness,  instant  prostration  of  strength,  with  con- 
vulsive contortions,  carrying  the  victim  off  suddenly.  In 
other  cases,  the  symptoms  were  wholly  different,  vital  decay 
producing  a  slow  and  destructive  debility,  resulting  in  extinc- 
tion of  life." 


From  Dr.  Ayres  to  the  Secretary  of  the  JVavy. 

Monrovia,  Africa,  July  18,  1823. 
Sir  :  A  few  days  after  landing  in  Africa,  all  the  new  comers 
were  taken  ill ;  there  has  but  one  escaped  the  sickness  :  we 
have  lost  eight  of  our  number.  The  colonists  who  were  out 
before,  have  been  very  healthy  ;  there  has  not  been  a  case 
of  fever  among  them  since  I  have  been  out.  We  are  now 
all  on  the  mend,  but  attended  with  a  great  degree  of  de- 
bility. 

The  captured  Africans  have  been  constantly  employed  in 
the  defence  of  the  colony,  during  the  late  war  with  the  na- 
tives ;  and,  since  that  time,  the  urgency  of  the  affairs  of  the 
colony  have  been  such  that  they  have  been  constantly  em- 
ployed in  preparing  a  defence  for  the  place,  which  has  de- 
prived them  of  the  opportunity  of  acquiring  that  information 
of  agriculture  and  the  mechanical  arts  which  would  benefit 
them  in  acquiring  a  livelihood  in  civilized  life,  according  to 
the  humane  intentions  of  the  President,  expressed  in  his  mes- 
sage to  Congress,  and  approved  by  them. 

Owing  to  this  circumstance,  I  thought  it  my  bounden  duty 
to  retain  them  a  year  longer,  at  the  charge  of  the  United 
States,  to  accomplish  this  purpose.  I  have  placed  them  under 
the  care  of  the  Rev.  Lot  Carey,  a  coloured  man.  A  part  of 
each  day  they  are  to  attend,  and  the  remainder  of  their  time 
to  labour,  under  the  immediate  care  of  Mr.  Carey,  in  clear- 
ing and  cultivating  the  land,  whereby  they  will  acquire  a 
knowledge  that  will  benefit  them  through  life.  Their  labour 
is  always  to  be  under  my  immediate  direction. 

I  have  not  been  able  to  settle  the  accounts  of  Mr.  Macauley 
yet.  The  Augusta  left  here,  a  few  days  after  my  arrival,  for 
the  North,  and  has  not  returned,  and  probably  will  not,  until 
after  the  rains — so  that  I  am  without  the  possibility  of  commu- 
nication with  Sierra  Leone,  and  unable  to  accomplish  it. 

The  goods  received  in  the  Colony  from  the  Trading  Com- 
pany of  Baltimore,  will  enable  me  to  dispense  with  the  neces- 


63 


sity  of  drawing  bills  on  London  for  necessaries,  but  can  draw 
directly  on  the  government.  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your 
most  obedient  humble  servant,  E.  AYRES, 

The  Hon.  Smith  Thompson,  Secretary  U.  S.  Navy. 

Freetown,  llth  March,  182S. 
Sir  :  Understanding  that  you  wish  to  be  acquainted  with 
what  stores,  and  other  necessaries,  may  be  useful  to  the  Ame- 
rican Colony  on  Cape  Montserado,  I  beg  leave  to  acquaint 
you  with  the  following  particulars.  In  December  last,  going 
down  to  Cape  Coast  in  H.  M.  C.  Schooner  Prince  Regent, 
I  was  informed  by  a  Krou  Canor,  that  the  American  settlers 
were  in  war  with  the  natives,  who  had  attacked  them  the 
night  before  and  killed  some  men,  I  immediately  hastened  to 
the  spot,  though  considerable  beyond  it,  to  render  what  as- 
sistance I  could.  On  my  arrival,  I  was  informed  by  Mr.  Ash- 
mun,  the  American  Agent,  that  they  had  suffered  severely 
from  the  ill  treatment  of  the  inhabitants  at  King  Peter's  town ; 
he  was  in  constant  fear  of  being  attacked  by  two  or  three 
thousand  men  ;  he  was  also  in  want  of  powder  and  ball.  1 
supplied  him  with  the  articles  he  stood  in  need  of,  and  the 
next  day  proceeded  to  King  Peter's  town,  accompanied  by 
Capt.  Lang,  of  the  Royal  African  Light  Infantry,  when  we 
made  the  agreement  with  the  King,  not  to  molest  the  settlers 
any  more,  until  we  heard  from  Sir  Charles  McCarthy.  Hav- 
ing so  far  arranged  peace  and  quietness,  I  proceeded  on 
my  voyage,  on  my  return  to  Sierra  Leone,  in  the  Intercourse 
packet  in  February  last,  (they  had  not  been  disturbed  since 
1  saw  them  last ;)  I  did  not  understand  from  the  Agent  what 
was  actually  wanted  for  the  settlement,  but  I  have  every  rea- 
son to  believe,  that  the  following  stores  would  be  useful,  viz 
Gardners  Tools,  Pick  Axes,  Shovels,  Powder,  Shot,  Mu.« 
kets,  Musket  Balls,  Beef,  Pork,  Flour,  Lumber,  Joist,  Plank. 
Shingles,  Nails  of  all  descriptions. 

The  Colony  was  greatly  improved,  considering  the  few 
men  residing  there,  and  allowing  for  the  difficulties  they  have 
laboured  under  ;  they  have  cleared  away  a  considerable  quan- 
tity of  land  on  the  Cape,  am!  had  built  for  their  own  detV*n<  . 
a  square  consisting  of  the  country  wood,  in  the  middle  ot 
which  there  was  a  long  eighteen  pound  cannon,  mounted  on 
a  pivot.  I  would  recommend,  if  such  a  thing  could  be  procur- 
ed here,  four  or  six  fiejd  pieces)  as  the  most  useful  thing 
required  on  so  young  a  Colony 

I  remain,  Sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

(Signed,)  JNO.  JAS.  tfcCOY, 

To  fnptnin  S^Ente,  United  ^'rufr.s  Ship  Cyan? 


61 

Sierra  Leone,  March  12th, 
Sir:  I  left  the  American  Colony  of  free  Blacks,  at  Cape 
Montserado,  about  the  22d  ultimo,  at  which  time  they  were  in 
distress  for  provisions,  clothing,  ammunition,  &c.  There 
are  five  of  the  Colonists  prisoners  to,  or  in  the  knowledge 
of,  King  Peter — I  redeemed  one  child  with  presents,  and  the 
Snapper  Gun  Brig  obtained  the  release  of  another  by  a  pa- 
laver. 

The  Colonists  are  unable  to  cultivate  the  land  and  defend 
themselves  at  the  same  time. 

In  my  opinion  they  stand  in  need  of  Beef,  Pork,  Flour, 
Lumber,  Nails,  Gunpowder,  Balls.  &c.  and  particularly  lead 
for  casting  musket  balls  ;  these  I  consider  absolutely  necessary 
for  their  preservation.  Some  medicines  and  stores  are  also 
wanted  for  the  sick. 

They  also  want  some  good  muskets, cutlasses,  grape  shot, 
ramrod  and  screws,  for  the  12  pounder,  &c. 

I  paid  for  the  child  spoken  of  before  20  bars  of  tobacco,  20 
yards  of  cloth,  and  2  gallons  of  rum,  which  appear  to  be  the 
best  articles  by  which  to  obtain  any  thing  from  the  natives. 
1  am,  Sir,  very  respectfully,  your  most  obedient  servant, 
(Signed)  WILLIAM  HABANGER. 

To  R.  T.  Spence,  Esq. 

Commanding  U,  S.  Ship  Cyane. 


PAPERS  B. 

Extract  from  Dr.  Ay  res'1  communications  soon  after  the  return 
of  the  Oszvego. 

Monrovia,  July  11th,  1823. 

Dear  Sir  :  By  the  blessing  of  God,  1  am  still  in  the  land 
of  probation,  and  my  health  so  far  improved,  as  to  be  able  to 
give  you  a  short  account  of  what  has  happened  since  my  writ- 
ing by  the  Oswego. 

The  disease  among  us  has  totally  differed  in  type  and  char- 
acter from  what  I  have  formerly  seen  in  the  dry  season,  and 
required  a  new  treatment.  My  health  was  fortunately  pre- 
served, until  some  of  the  first  cases  had  run  through  their 
first  stage,  and  I  had  pretty  well  discovered  the  character  of 
the  disease.  At  this  critical  juncture,  there  came  along  a 
British  vessel  which  furnished  us  with  five  dozen  of  porter  ; 
had  it  not  been  for  this  seasonable  supply,  many  of  us  would 
now  have  been  in  our  grave  ■ — our  shamefully  scanty  supplies 
affording  us  nothing  suitable  to  prescribe  for  arresting  the  dte- 


ease  in  its  first  critical  change.  After  I  was  taken  down,  ami 
could  not  visit  the  sick,  I  cannot  in  too  high  terms  speak  of 
the  useful  exertions  of  the  Rev.  Lot  Carey.  He  three  times 
a  day  visited  the  sick,  brought  me  an  account  of  their  state, 
received  my  prescriptions,  and  attended  to  the  administering 
of  the  medicine.  To  his  great  exertions  we  are  all  much  in- 
debted. On  landing,  the  new  emigrants  took  lodgings  wher- 
ever they  could  find  room  to  stow  in.  When  they  all  became 
sick,  they  were  strewed  over  the  floors  with  nothing  under 
them  but  mats,  and  many  of  them  drenched  with  rain  every  day. 
Under  all  these  circumstances,  we  have  been  favoured  by 
loosing  but  eight,  five  aduils  and  three  children.  Among  the 
deaths  I  have  to  lament  that  of  Isaiah  Preston,  a  young  man 
of  great  promise  ;  he  has  not  left  his  equal  in  the  Colony. 

Our  first  attention  was  turned  towards  getting  houses  over 
our  heads.  The  rains  have  been  so  incessant,  and  other  in- 
terruptions from  sickness,  &c.  that  this  is  not  yet  accomplish- 
ed. I  hope  we  shall  shortly  have  these  houses  finisbevl;  when 
that  is  done  I  shall  introduce  an  entire  new  mode  of  proce- 
dure ;  their  lots  will  be  surveyed  to  them,  and  every  one  go 
to  work  for  themselves.  This,  I  hope,  will  produce  a  con- 
siderable alteration  in  the  character  of  the  colonists  There 
will  be  a  number  of  those  who  will  have  to  remain  a  charge 
to  the  Society. 

There  are  two  or  three  invalids,  from  wounds  received  in 
the  war,  that  will  never  be  able  to  work. 

It  is  my  intention,  when  the  lots  are  divided  off  to  the  peo- 
ple, to  allow  them  half  their  time  to  labour  on  their  lots,  and 
be  liable  to  be  called  the  other  half  of  their  time  to  publick 
labour. 

1  shall  appoint  three  magistrates  to  serve  for  one  year,  whose 
duty  it  shall  be  to  lake  cognizance  of  all  disorderly  conduct 
in  the  Colony;  to  have  a  hearing,  and  take  evidence  in  the  case, 
but  pass  no  sentence.     The  last  Saturday  of  every  month  ' 
hold  a  court,  when  all  the  cases  tried  during  the  monthe 
the  magistrates  are  reported,  and  the  magistrates  staj  pri~ 
accusers  in  behalf  of  the  Colony.  The  accused  havi 
vilege  of  being  tried  by  a  jury  if  they  wish  it.  t»ppropria- 

As  soon  as  the  houses  are  finished,  and  the  }  practice  the 
ted  to  the  individuals,  it  is  my  intention  to  gfthe  plan  of  co- 
plan  which  has  ever  been  nearest  my  hej0  guardian  in  the 
Ionizing,  viz.  all  male  minors  who  hav\friCan8  ;  they  arc  to 
Colony,  to  be  classed  with  the  capty  'f  ne  Kev.  Lot  Carey 
have  a  house  built  for  the  occa-'m'  for  trie  present, 
has  consented  to  take  charge  ^  in  thc  morning,  and  attend 

They  wdl  be  called  up  &buBine™  at  sunrise  :  work  until 
pravers    be  ready  to  rep  * 
J  / 


66 


night,  A.  Mi  breakfast  at  9,  repair  to  work  until  11  o'clock  j 
th'  u  attend  school  until  half  past  12;  adjourn  for  recreation 
until  half  past  two  ;  their  labour  always  to  be  subject  to  my 
order.  They  will  be  employed  principally  in  clearing  and 
cultivating  a  plantation  in  the  best  order  ;  we  stand  much^in 
need  of  tools  of  many  descriptions.  I  hope  now  in  a  short 
time  to  be  able  to  give  some  more  cheering  accounts  to 
the  Society,  of  our  proceedings  in  this  quarter  ;  but  it  is  yet 
in  the  bosom  of  futurity,  and  1  know  not  what  trials  and  ob- 
stacles it  may  please  the  Almighty  to  lay  in  our  way. 

My  health  is  daily  gaining,  I  can  now  be  up  half  the  day. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  most  obedient  humble  ser- 
vant, E.  AYRES. 

Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley,  Agent  A.  C.  Society. 


A  small  mistake  is  to  be  found  in  a  statement  made  by  the 
Society's  Agent,  in  a  letter  to  a  gentleman  in  Richmond,  which 
has  since  appeared  in  some  of  the  newspapers,  and  is  cor- 
rected in  this  Report.  We  will  take  the  liberty  to  recapitu- 
late concisely  the  facts  concerning  the  mortality  amongst  the 
African  colonists. 

The  whole  number  sent  out  under  the  patronage  of  the 
oard,  225.  Died  at  Campelar,  of  those  who  went  out  in 
le  Elizabeth,  22.  At  Sierra  Leone,  4  ;  two  of  which  by 
ever.  At  Liberia,  20  ;  eleven  only  by  fever.  Total  number 
of  deaths,  16.  The  number  at  the  Colony  by  the  last  census, 
140;  others  have  left  the  Colony;  some  settled  at  Sierra 
Leone,  some  returned  to  this  country. 

We  give,  with  pleasure,  the  following  account  of  the  sick- 
ness which  occurred  among  the  passengers  in  the  Elizabeth, 
soon  after  her  arrival  in  Africa  in  1020,  from  the  pen  of  one 
who  was  familiarly  acquainted  with  all  the  circumstances  of 
'^e  case. 

raihe  Elizabeth  arrived  at  Sherbro  a  short  time  before  the 
invitaimmenced.  The  Agents  were  induced  to  accept  the 
friend  oi°l Kizzell,  who  was  then  supposed  to  be  a  zealous 
at  CampelaColony,  and  to  ta^e  up  their  temporary  residence 
small  island  lotovvn  belonging  to  Kizzell.  Campelar  is  a 
mangrove  trees  'nd  marshy,  and  surrounded  with  mud  and 
people  to  the  full  efilU(JmS  the  fresh  air,  and  exposing  the 
tion,  without  fresh  airfmarsn  mud  an(*  vegetable  putrefac- 
wateratthis  place  was  ver^  after  a  sea  voyage.  The  only 
but  which  Kizzell  at  tirst  m?nsive'  cominS  from  the  marsh- 
spring,  andhealthv,  whilst  he  ^ded  them  was  a  chal>beate 

secretly  getting  the  water 


67 


lor  himself  from  a  spring  on  the  continent,  three  miles  distant 
The  sickness  soon  commenced,  and  the  mortality  was  so  rapid, 
that  the  people  were  soon  deprived  of  medical  aid,  of  nursing, 
and  of  almost  every  accommodation.  When  the  cause  of  thp 
sickness  was  discovered,  and  after  the  death  of  the  white 
agents,  the  remainder  were  removed  to  another  part  of  the 
island,  under  the  care  of  their  own  people,  Coker  and 
Johnson  ;  and  it  is  a  most  remarkable  circumstance  in 
favour  of  the  general  healthiness  of  the  climate,  that  not 
one  died,  it  is  believed,  after  the  removal  ;  although  most 
of  them  were  debilitated  by  the  sickness  at  Campelar  ;  their 
accommodations  were  miserable  exposed  hovels  in  which 
they  had  to  encounter  the  whole  season  of  rains,  which  had 
just  commenced,  and  their  supplies  of  provisions  and  medi- 
cine limited  and  scanty,  with  but  little  order  or  discipline, 
and  without  any  medical  advice.  The  sick  all  soon  recovered 
in  their  new  situation,  under  all  these  disadvantages.  Dis- 
posing, then,  of  the  death  of  these  twenty-two,  as  caused  by 
the  particular  sources  of  disease  from  their  situation  and  cir- 
cumstances, it  leaves  but  thirteen  deaths  of  the  whole  num- 
ber of  emigrants  from  the  fevers  of  the  climate. 

When  we  reflect  upon  the  various  deprivations  and  expo- 
sure to  which  the  people  have  been  subjected,  in  removal 
from  place  to  place,  and  the  many  difficulties  attending  the 
first  settlement  of  a  new  country,  it  will  be  matter  of  surprise 
that  so  few  have  died.  In  comparison  with  the  settlement  of 
our  own  country,  it  augurs  strongly  in  favour  of  the  general 
healthiness  of  the  climate  for  the  descendants  of  Africans. 


Address  of  the  Board  of  Managers  published  in  August  last 

AMERICAN  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY. 

The  Board  of  Managers  ofthe  American  Colonization  Soci- 
ety, urged  by  the  most  powerful  motives  of  religion  and  hu- 
manity, appeal  to  a  generous  public  in  behalf  of  their  great 
design. 

Six  years  have  elapsed  since  the  institution  of  their  Socie- 
ty ;  and,  though  want  of  funds  has  prevented  very  vigorous 
and  extensive  exertions,  though  sad  occurrences  have  ob- 
structed its  operations,  it  has  advanced  ;  gathered  strength  in 
its  progress  ;  been  instructed  by  misfortune;  and,  aided  by 
Heaven,  has  demonstrated  the  practicalness  of  its  plans, 
and  confirmed  the  hope,  early  entertained,  that  its  efforts,  if 
well  sustained,  would  be  succeeded  by  splendid  and  sublime 
results. 


68 

Whether  these  efforts  shall  be  thus  sustained,  it  remains' 
'with  this  enlightened  community  to  decide. 

The  territory  purchased  in  Africa,  appears  to  have  been 
judiciously  selected,  and,  it  is  believed,  combines  a  greater 
number  of  advantages  for  a  colonial  establishment,  than  any 
other  situation  on  the  Coast.  Elevated,  and  open  to  the  sea, 
with  a  harbour  to  be  easily  rendered  excellent ;  fertile,  and 
well  watered  ;  intersected  by  the  Montserado  River,  extend- 
ing several  hundred  miles  into  the  interiour  ;  bordered  by 
tribes,  comparatively,  mild  in  character  ;  it  promises  to  the 
settlers  every  facility  for  the  attainment  of  their  objects. 

The  number  now  at  the  Colon}',  including  the  sixty  who 
recently  took  passage  in  the  brig  Oswego,  probably  amounts 
to  one  hundred  and  ninety.  The  African  tribes  in  that  neigh- 
bourhood are  neither  ferocious  nor  brave  ;  and  the  recent 
content,  in  which  their  combined  forces  (amounting  at  one 
time  to  fifteen  hundred)  attempted  to  exterminate  our  Colony, 
nobly  defended  by  its  thirty  men,  proves  any  thing  rather 
than  difficulty  of  maintaining  a  stand  against  their  power. 

It  proves,  indeed,  that  the  natives  of  Africa,  like  most  un- 
civilized men,  are  treacherous  ;  that,  incited  by  the  slave 
traders  and  the  hope  of  plunder,  they  will  not  hesitate  to 
murder  the  defenceless,  and  that  a  colony,  if  it  survives  at  all, 
must  live  not  by  their  favour,  but  by  its  own  strength.  It 
proves  that  our  settlement,  commenced  at  the  expense  of  so 
much  time,  and  money,  and  suffering,  may  perish — but  only 
through  neglect.    And  shall  this  Colony  be  abandoned  ? 

The  Board  believe  it  impossible  that  their  earliest  friends, 
who  have  watched  all  the-movements  of  their  Society  with  the 
deepest  concern  ;  implored  for  it  the  favour  of  God  ;  rejoiced 
to  sec  it  living,  amidst  misfortunes,  and  acquiring  confidence 
in  its  march  ;  will  refuse  their  aid  at  this  crisis,  when  the 
question  is,  shall  all  past  exertion  be  lost,  through  present 
inactivity,  or  shall  an  immediate  and  powerful  effort  render 
permanent  the  foundations  of  a  work,  which,  completed,  shall 
prove  an  honour  to  our  country,  an  incalculable  anvantage  to 
Africa,  a  magnificent  contribution  to  the  light,  freedom,  and 
happiness  of  the  world. 

That  the  resources  and  strength  of  the  Colony  should  be 
immediately  augmented,  appears  to  the  Board  indispensable  ; 
and  most  earnestly  do  they  solicit  their  countrymen  to  furnish 
the  means  of  performing  it.  The  colonists,  increased  to  dou- 
ble their  present  number,  supplied  with  implements  of  hus- 
bandry, and  (lor  a  few  months)  with  the  means  of  subsistence, 
will,  it  is  believed,  never  afterwards  require  pecuniary  aid; 
but,  perfectly  secure  from  hostile  violence,  may  engage,  with 


69 


a  moral  certainty  of  success,  in  the  peaceful  and  profitable 
employments  of  life.  The  immediate  object  of  the  Board, 
then,  is  to  give  stability  to  their  establishment  in  Africa,  and 
it  is  in  behalf  of  that  establishment  that  they  make  their  ap- 
peal. 

It  is  their  determination,  should  the  charities  of  the  public 
equal  their  expectations,  to  send  several  vessels  to  the  Afri- 
can coast  in  the  ensuing  fall,  and  to  adopt  and  execute,  with- 
out delay,  such  other  measures  as  may  contribute  to  the 
strength  and  prosperity  of  that  Colony. 

What  mind,  susceptible  of  benevolent  feeling,  or  even  of 
common  sympathy,  can  reflect,  without  pain,  upon  the  dan- 
gers, privations,  and  warfare,  endured  for  many  months  past 
by  the  little  band  at  Cape  Montserado  ?  Widely  separated 
from  the  civilized  world,  surrounded  by  barbarous  foes  ;  suf- 
fering the  untried  influence  of  a  tropical  climate  ;  destitute  of 
the  comforts,  of  the  necessaries  of  life ;  in  the  daily  expectation 
of  death  ;  no  defence  but  their  courage,  no  protection  but 
God,  they  have  stood  with  unkroken  energy,  and  deserve  for 
their  conduct  high  commendation  and  a  cherished  regard. 

The  Board  have  not  heard,  with  insensibility,  ot  the  trials 
of  these  men,  nor  wanted  the  disposition  to  relieve  them. 
They  have  not  possessed  the  means.  But,  though  retarded 
in  their  efforts  by  the  destitution  of  funds,  they  have  recently 
rejoiced  in  the  departure  of  the  brig  Oswego,  well  supplied 
with  arms,  ammunition,  and  provisions,  and  having  on  board 
a  reinforcement  of  more  than  sixty  colonists. 

The  Board  are  happy  to  state,  that,  since  the  foregoing 
part  of  the  Address  was  written,  communications  have  been 
received  from  Africa,  of  a  highly  interesting  and  encouraging 
character.  Health  and  harmony  now  prevail  in  the  Colony  ; 
hostilities  with  the  natives  have  terminated.  The  chil- 
dren who  were  taken  captive  on  the  11th  of  November, 
have  been  voluntarily  restored,  and  the  settlement  is  great- 
ly improved.  The  condition  of  the  Colony,  previous  to 
the  arrival  of  the  Cyane  upon  the  coast,  though  rendered 
more  tolerable  by  the  exertions  of  the  Agent  and  people,  as- 
sisted by  an  officer  and  several  sailors  from  an  English  vessel, 
was,  indeed,  distressing  ;  and  the  noble  services  of  Captain 
Spence  and  his  generous  crew,  cannot  be  too  highly  appre- 
ciated. This  officer,  when  informed  of  the  sufferings  ol  the 
Colony,  immediately  repaired  to  Sierra  Leone  ;  fitted  for  sea 
the  schooner  Augusta,  belonging  to  the  United  States,  and, 
to  the  great  joy  of  the  colonists,  arrived  at  Montserado  on  the 
27th  of  March,  where  he  offered  to  the  Colony  every  aid  in 
his  power.     Capt.  Spence,  though  the  cruize  of  the  Cyane 


70 


had  been  already  protracted,  in  an  unhealthy  climate,  resolv- 
ed, without  hesitation,  to  remain  so  long  on  the  coast  as 
should  be  necessary  to  prepare  the  Colony  for  the  approach- 
ing rains,  and  to  strengthen  it  against  any  future  attacks.  He 
completed  a  suitable  house  for  the  Agent,  and  erected  a 
tower  of  strong  mason  work,  which,  it  is  believed,  will  prove 
a  safe  defence  against  the  barbarians.  Having  nearly  accom- 
plished his  design,  the  benevolent  and  efficient  exertions  of 
this  officer  were  interrupted  by  the  sickness  of  his  crew,  in- 
creased, no  doubt,  by  their  exertions  under  the  burning  sun 
of  that  climate  ;  and  he  was  compelled  to  leave  the  Colony 
on  the  21st  of  April.  Several  extracts  from  the  letter  of  the 
Agent  of  the  Society  will  be  found  in  the  Appendix.  "  It  is 
too  obvious,"  he  remarks,  in  one  of  them,  "  to  require  repe- 
tition, that,  what  your  Colony  now  wants,  is  a  strong  rein- 
forcement of  orderly  and  efficient  emigrants." 

Having  exhausted  their  resources,  the  Board  can  look  for 
the  power  of  future  exertion  only  to  the  liberality  of  a  great, 
humane  and  Christian  nation.  They  appeal  to  the  several 
auxiliary  institutions,  and  to  all  their  friends,  with  confidence, 
for  they  have  experienced,  even  in  times  of  deep  discourage- 
ment, their  vigorous  exertion.  They  appeal  to  their  coun- 
trymen in  general  with  high  hopes,  because  the  possibility  of 
effecting  their  design  is  no  longer  problematical,  while  its  be- 
nevolence and  its  greatness  admit  of  no  question.  The  ob- 
stacles deemed  insurmountable  have  been  overcome — the 
things  thought  impossible  have  been  accomplished.  Standing 
on  an  eminence  which,  it  was  said,  they  could  not  reach, 
the  Board  see  before  them  an  extensive  prospect,  fair  as  the 
morning  spread  upon  the  mountains — the  iand  of  promise  to 
degraded  thousands — the  rich  inheritance  which  God  has 
given  to  tribes  who  have  drank  deep  of  the  waters  of  affliction, 
laboured  and  wept  in  a  land  of  strangers.  Shall  they  not 
maintain  their  station,  or  rather  shall  they  not  advance  and 
possess  the  land  ? 

In  conclusion,  may  not  the  Board  be  permitted  to  ask — 
How  shall  this  great  nation,  so  favoured,  free,  and  happy, 
which  God  has  delivered  by  his  own  right  arm  and  exalted  as 
a  light  and  example  to  the  world,  exhibit,  in  an  equal  manner 
the  strength  of  its  gratitude,  the  consistency  of  its  principles, 
the  purity  of  its  justice,  or  the  power  of  its  benevolence,  as 
by  engaging  at  ouce,  and  with  energy,  in  an  enterprise  which, 
while  it  relieves  our  country  from  an  immense  evil,  shall  ex- 
Tend  the  empire  of  liberty  and  truth,  terminate  the  worst  of 
'rafficks,  rescue  from  present  and  future  ruin  a  miserable 
race,  and  confer  upon  them,  their  descendants,  and  upon  the 


71 


unenlightened  population  of  a  mighty  continent,  knowledge, 
civilization,  dignity,  all  the  blessings  and  hopes  of  a  Christian 
people  ?                   '  . 

J.  MASON,  1 

W.  JONES,  | 

F.  S.  KEY,  }  Acting  Committee. 

E.  B.  CALDWELL, 

TAMES  LAURIE,  J 


C. 

The  exertions  of  midshipman  R.  R.  McMullin,  while  upon 
the  African  coast  were  most  meritorious.  Though  suffering 
severely  by  fever,  and  deprived  of  all  the  white  men  of  his 
crew,  he  persevered  in  guarding  the  coast  in  the  Augusta,  un- 
til she  became  entirely  unlit  for  sea.  While  the  Captain,  sail- 
ors, and  Dr.  A}  res,  were  sick  on  their  passage  home  in  the 
Fidelity,  though  extremely  weak  himself,  he  took  the  com- 
mand, and  by  exposures  which  hazarded  his  life,  and  by  great 
energy  of  conduct,  secured,  it  is  believed,  the  safety  of  the 
vessel  and  passengers.  We  are  happy  in  paying  this  tribute 
to  a  gallant  young  Officer. 


PAPER  D. 

Extracts  from  Mr.  Ashmun's  Letter,  dated  Monrovia,  Mdy 
15,  1823. 

Cape  Montserado,  May  15,  1023. 
Capt.  Spence  left  the  walls  of  the  Tower  raised  above  the 
foundation,  (which  consisted  of  heavy  stone  work,)   about  11 
feet ;  and  had  prepared  most  of  the  timbers  for  the  platform, 
or  gun  floor. 

Being  much  worn  with  cares,  and  fatigue, — and  Mr.  Seton 
offering  to  superintend  this  work — after  organizing  the  labour- 
ing force  of  the  colony,  I  went  on  board  the  "  Augusta,"  on 
the  21st  of  April,  and  sailed  for  Seltra-Kroo  :  about  200  miles 
S.  eastward,  for  the  purpose  of  conveying  to  their  own  coun- 
try about  40  Kroo-inen,  who,  in  consideration  of  their  pas- 
sage had  laboured  for  us  three  weeks. 

Owing  to  the  illness  of  Lieut.  Dashiell  on  board,  to  contrary 
winds,  and  accidents  which  befel  the  Schooner,  we  did  not 
return  till  the  loth  of  May  ; — after  an  absence  from  the  Cape, 
of  21  days.  Among  the  Schooner's  accidents  were,  the  loss 
of  her  stream  anchor-  and  kedge.  through  carelessness  ;  and 


72 


t lie  carrying  away  of  both  her  top-masts,  which  had  injudici 
ously  been  retained  from  her  old  spars. 

•  One  century  ago,  a  great  part  of  this  line  of  coast  was  po- 
fpulous,  cleared  of  its  trees,  and  under  cultivation.  It  is  now 
covered  with  a  dense,  and  almost  continuous  forest.  This  is 
almost  wholly  a  second  growth — commonly  distinguishable 
from  the  original,  by  the  profusion  of  brambles  and  brush- 
wood which  abounds  amongst  the  larger  trees,  and  renders 
the  woods  entirely  impervious,  even  to  the  natives,  until 
paths  are  opened  by  the  Bill-hook. 

The  native  towns  are  numerous,  but  not  large.    The  peo 
pie  raise  their  own  rice,  cassada,  and  palm-oil  ;  and  procure 
their  guns,  powder,  cloths,  tobacco,  knives,  cooking  utensils, 
and  luxuries,  from  French  slave  traders.    We  saw  at  least 
three  vessels  of  this  description. 

I  observed,  on  this  excursion,  several  situations,  which,  in 
point  of  local  advantages  were  obviously  preferable,  as  the 
geat  of  a  colony,  to  Grand  Bassa ;  but  none,  which  I  did  not 
judge  far  behind  Montserado.  I  was  surprised  to  find  the  place 
selected  at  Bassa  for  the  site  of  the  colonial  town  to  be  a  low 
peninsula,  having  an  impassable  swamp  stretching  along  its 
rear  for  several  leagues,  and  terminating  sea-ward,  in  a  slug- 
gish creek  ! — King  Ben,  in  anticipation  of  the  arrival  of  our 
people,  had  built  here,  a  large  house,  which  shows  to  a  great 
distance  in  the  offing. — With  this  King,  I  had  repeated  con- 
versations ;  and  frankly  explained  the  true  reason  why  the 
contract  of  Messrs.  Andrus  and  Bacon  was  not  confirmed  b}- 
their  fathers  in  America  ;  and  told  him  that  our  nation,  like 
England,  could  not,  according  to  their  laws,  have  any  agency 
in  carrying  off  the  poor  people  of  Africa.  All  this  he  seemed 
perfectly  to  comprehend  ;  and  after  a  few  moment's  silent 
reflection,  coincided  that  he  could  not  blame  the  Americans 
for  observing  their  laws,  and  refusing  to  settle  at  Bassa.  He 
should  not  persist  in  requiring  it. 

The  conversation  then  reverted  to  the  death  of  his  son. 
I  explaiued  to  him  the  cause  and  circumstances  of  his  decease, 
as  I  had  learnt  them.  That  Messrs.  A.  and  B.  had  treated  him 
with  paternal  tenderness,  till  their  arrival  at  Sierra  Leone  ; 
when  they  placed  him  under  the  care  and  instruction  of  one  of 
the  best  of  white  men,  to  be  instructed  in  whatever  was  most  use- 
ful— that  God  visited  him  zvith  a  disorder  which  the  most  skill- 
ful men  could  not  cure.  He  stated  in  reply,  that  he  was  satis- 
fied that  "  God  killed  his  son  ;"  but  that  "  Messrs.  Andrus  and 
Bacon,  promised  to  take  his  son  to  America,  instead  of  Sierra 
Leone.''''  Of  that,  I  knew  nothing  ;  and  told  him,  that  one  of 
the  men  was  dead,  the  other  had  left  the  country, — perhaps  King 
Ben  had  misunderstood  them;  or  they  him. 


73 


"  Well,"  ke  rejoined,  "  White  men  don't  come  settle  Bassa. 
No  palaver  for  that.  God  kill  my  son.  True: — but  what  you 
pay  me  for  my  son  die  in  your  hand  ?"  1  told  him,  white  men 
had  no  such  custom;  and  could  not  understand  paying  for  a 
dead.  man.  He  soon  observed,  "  That  be  true  :  white  men 
can't  sabby  black  man's  fash.  I  say  then,  God  kill  my  son.  Ao 
palaver  Jor  that.  But  he  die  in  your  hand.  That  make  my 
heart  sorry.  Now,  what  you  give  me  to  make  my  heart  glad?" 
This  was  coming  to  the  point. — I  promised  him  a  small  pre- 
sent, provided  he  sent  for  it  to  Montserado.  This  he  promised 
to  do  ;  and  repeatedly  expressed  his  wish,  that  the  most  per- 
fect amity  might  forever  subsist  between  his  people  and  the 
Colony. 

Every  tribe,  indeed,  visited  on  this  trip,  declared  by  its 
Prince,  or  head-men,  its  intention  to  preserve  with  us  a  good 
understanding,  and  to  trade  freely  to  the  colony.  The  par- 
ticulars of  our  late  war.  especially  the  result  of  the  two  en- 
gagements, have  been  reported  far  and  near,  and  given  to  the 
colony  a  character  for  strength  and  invincibility,  which  must, 
in  different  way«,  contribute  greatly  to  its  advantage. 

During  this  trip,  I  collected  230  gallons  ot  palm-oil — an  ar- 
ticle of  the  first  necessity  here;  answering  the  double  pur 
pose  of  lamp  oil  and  suet.  The  means  of  lighting  our  houses 
in  this  latitude,  where  the  sun  is,  12  hours  out  of  every  24, 
b;  low  the  horizon  the  year  round,  are  necessary,  not  as  a 
matter  of  convenience  only,  but  of  necessity.  Besides  sup- 
plying their  own  wants  with  the  valuable  article  just  mention- 
ed, the  people  about  Montserado  prepare  little  or  none  for 
sale.    Down  the  coast  it  is  abundant  and  cheap. 

I  likewise  engaged  25  Kroo-men  as  labourers — perhaps, 
eventually  as  settlers  near  the  colony.  The  wages  allowed 
this  company,  are  3  bars,  or  about  5  pounds  of  leaf  tobacco, 
per  man,  for  the  month.    The  customary  wages  are  4  bars. 

At  the  river  Sesters  is  an  English  factory.  Mere  I  pur- 
chased 1500  feet  of  boards,  at  a  very  high  price.  But  the 
unfinished  state  of  the  Agent's  house,  and  some  other  uses  for 
which  this  article  must  be  had,  overruled  the  extreme  reluc- 
tance with  which  I  submitted  to  pay  more  for  this  little  lot  ol 
lumber,  than  it  was  worth  to  the  seller. 

Returning  to  the  colony  on  the  13th  instant,  I  found  Mr. 
Seton,the  young  gentleman  from  the  Cyane,  mentioned  iu 
my  last,  very  ill  of  the  fever.  But  apparently  convalescent. 
By  "convalescent,"  when  applied  to  cases  of  fever  in  this 
country,  is  by  no  means  to  be  understood  that  the  patient, 
if  he  be  a  white  man,  is  in  the  way  of  a  speedy  recovery. 

The  colonists  working  under  the  superintendence  of  one  ot 
their  number,  have  continued  to  raise  the  walls  of  the  tower. 
K 


74 


The  battery  platform  is  laid,  and  the  walls  earned  a  few  inch 
esaboveit.*  Under  the  hands  of  the  25  additional  labourer?, 
the  work  now  proceeds  more  rapidly. 

The  season  for  planting  and  sowing  the  seeds  of  such  ve- 
getables and  grains  as  produce  only  an  annual  crop,  has  now 
commenced,  and  will  continue  until  the  middle  of  June. — 
Most  of  the  seeds  on  hand,  having  been  in  a  damp  store  house 
for  nearly  a  year,  are,  I  fear,  spoilt.  Our  people,  I  regret 
to  say,  have  not  commenced  preparing  their  plantations  ; 
nor,  for  obvious  reasons,  would  it  be  proper  to  impede  tin 
progress  of  our  works  of  defence  by  withdrawing  any  ol  the 
labourers,  even  for  agricultural  purposes. 

June  oth< 

The  English  have  established  a  regular  packet  communi- 
cation between  Sierra  Leone,  and  Cape  Coast.  The  distance 
is  little  short  of  1,000  miles.  The  "  Intercourse"  Schooner 
commonly  makes  a  trip,  including  the  return,  in  about  2 
months,  and  has  made  Ylontserudo  one  of  her  touching  places. 
May  31st.  she  arrived  here  from  the  lee  ward,  and  proceeded 
on  to  Sierra  Leone  on  the  2d  instant,  taking  Irom  Montsera^o 
about  20  Kroo  labourers.  It  is  customary  for  public  and 
private  vessels  to  accommodate  gratuitously  this  class  of  peo- 
ple with  passages  to  and  from  their  native  country,  and  the 
different  European  establishments  on  the  coast,  to  which  they 
resort  for  employment.  They  are  regarded  as  a  sort  of  com 
mon  property.  Every  body  employs  them.  To-day  the\ 
will  assist  in  getting  a  cargo  of  slaves  on  board  a  Spaniard, 
to-morruw,  will  aid  an  English  cruizer  to  capture  him  ;  and 
no  umbrage  is  given  or  taken.  They  never  deal  in  slave?, 
and  by  common  consent,  the  obvious  dictate  of  interest,  are 
never  enslaved  by  Europeans.  Hence,  they  come  aboard  of 
any  vessel  with  an  air  of  fearless  confidence,  and  every  indi- 
cation of  feeling  themselves  entirely  at  heme. 

With  ordinary  success  in  trade,  on  this  coast,  I  can  clear  at 
least  four  times  the  sum  which  I  shall  ever  ask  or  expect 
either.of  the  Government  or  Society.  And  the  business 
would  not,  to  say  the  least,  be  more  arduous,  than  a  faithful 
discharge  of  duty  within  the  colon}'.  But  my  wish  is,  so  long 
as  the  Society  shall  require  my  services,  to  lend  them  to  the 
cause,  unless  compelled  to  resort  to  some  other  employment. 

I  feel  unworthy  of  the  vote  of  thanks  passed  by  the  Board 
for  endeavouring  to  perform  as  well  as  I  could,  the  arduous, 
and  perilous  duties  connected  with  the  defence  of  the  colony. 
But,  to  know  that  any  part  of  my  conduct  merits  their  appro- 
bation, is,  I  assure  you,  sir,  among  the  most  powerful  mo 
tives,  for  endeavouring  in  future  to  deserve  it. 


75 


The  valuable  present  of  clothing  which  I  have  received, 
has  proved  doubly  so  from  the  seasonableness  of  its  arrival/ 
But  I  need  not  say  that  it  derives  in  my  estimation,  a  much 
higher  value  from  the  occasion  of  the  donation,  and  the  en- 
lightened source  from  which  it  proceeded.  The  grateful 
sentiment  it  has  inspired,  will  long  survive  the  period  when 
the  articles,  themselves,  shall  have  ceased  to  be  of  any  value- 

June  20,  1823. 

I  have  only  a  few  hours  notice  of  the  intention  of  Captain 
VYeightman,  of  the  Oswego,  to  sail  immediately  and  direct  to 
the  United  States. 

Mr.  Seton's  return  by  this  vessel,  will  supersede  the  ne- 
cessity of  adding  much.  We  have  many  cases  of  sickness 
amongst  the  newcomers,  and  some  deaths  ;  which  are,  how- 
ever, to  be  attributed  to  other  causes  than  the  badness  of  the 
climate,  the  deaths  of  the  two  children  excepted. 

1  trust  you  will  receive  more  favourable  accounts  by  the 
.next  conveyance. 

E. 

Review  of  the  Report?  of  the  American  Colonization  Socieii^ 
from  the  Christian  Spectator. 

The  Reports  of  the  American  Society  for  colonizing  the  free  people  of 
colour  in  the  United  States.— 1318,  19,  20,  21,  22,  23. 

To  the  government  exercised  over  us  while  we  continued 
in  a  state  of  colonial  dependence,  our  country  owes  the  great- 
est blot  which  stains  her  annals,  and  the  greatest — almost  the 
only  curse,  with  which  providence  has  seen  tit  to  afflict  her. 
The  pittance  of  honour  which  England  has  acquired,  or  even 
the  stupendous  amount  of  glory  which  bhe  claims,  as  a  reward 
of  her  efforts  against  the  slave  trade,  can  never  atone  for  the 
crime  of  introducing  into  her  colonies  without  their  consent, 
against  their  wishes,  in  defiance  of  their  remonstrances,  a  po- 
pulation of  slaves — a  population  which  even  if  it  were  not 
literally  enslaved,  must  forever  remain  in  a  state  of  degrada- 
tion no  better  than  bondage — a  population  whose  relative  in- 
crease is,  and  always  must  be,  a  positive  dimunition  of  nation- 
al strength  and  wealth,  and  on  whose  character,  and  prospects, 
the  philanthropist  must  for  ever  look  with  commiseration,  and 
the  patriot  with  tearful  forebodings. 

The  bare  mention  of  the  institution  whose  reports  are  now 
before  us,  directs,  with  an  impulse  which  we  find  it  difficult 
to  resist,  towards  a  discussign  of  slavery  as  it  exists,  in  thp 


76 

United  States,  taking  the  subject  in  all  its  extent,  and  with  all 
its  relations  to  the  prosperity  of  our  country.  And  this  im- 
pulse receives  additional  force  from  the,  perhaps  our  readers 
would  say,  self-complacent  impression,  that  though  our  con- 
ceptions of  the  nature  and  extent  of  this  evil,  are  no  less  vi- 
vid than  those  of  the  more  ardent  of  our  fellow  citizens,  they 
are  in  some  respects  more  liberal,  if  not  more  rational,  than 
the  doctrines  on  this  subject  which  are  frequently  expressed, 
with  the  strongest  conviction  of  their  orthodoxy,  by  many  ©f 
the  journals  and  other  publications  of  New-England  and  the 
middle  states.  But  for  the  present  we  are  compelled  to  wave 
that  discussion,  except  so  far  as  it  is  necessarily  connected 
with  our  immediate  object  ;  and  we  do  it  in  the  hope  that  we 
shall  be  able  ere  long  to  present  our  readers  with  a  review  of 
that  subject. 

Our  present  design  is  to  examine  at  some  length  the  histo- 
ry, the  prospects,  and  the  claims  of  the  American  Coloniza- 
tion Society.  We  offer  no  apology  for  this,  because  there  is 
too  much  reason  to  believe  that  a  great  proportion  of  our  rea- 
ders have  never  enjoyed  a  proper  opportunity  of  examining 
these  interesting  reports  for  themselves,  and  those  who  have 
been  more  favoured  in  this  respect,  will  certainly  agree  with 
us  that  every  individual  ought  to  know  what  an  institution  so 
gigantic  in  its  designs  has  already  accomplished,  what  it  is  now 
doing,  and  what  it  may  reasonably  hope  to  accomplish  here- 
after. 

The  American  Colonization  Society  was  organized  at  Wash- 
ington about  the  commencement  of  the  year  1817.  In  the 
words  of  its  constitution.  "  the  object  to  which  its  attention  is 
to  be  exclusively  directed,  is  to  promote  and  execute  a  plan 
for  colonizing  (with  their  consent)  the  free  people  of  colour 
residing tn  our  country,  in  Africa,  or  such  other  place  as  Con- 
gress shall  deem  most  expedient."  Among  the  individuals 
most  active  in  procuring  its  establishment,  besides  many  of  the 
present  members  of  the  Board  of  Managers,  were  the  late 
*  Rev.  Dr.  Finley,  of  New- Jersey,  and  SamuelJ.  Mills.  The 
former  is  indeed  said  to  have  been  the  original  projector  of 
the  plan.  At  the  period  of  its  formation  the  society  received 
the  strongest  expressions  of  approbation,  and  the  warmest  as- 
surances of  good  will  from  many  very  distinguished  men  of 
the  southern  states.  This  was  highly  important,  as  it  had  a 
strong  tendency  to  gain  the  confidence  of  the  southern  people, 
without  which  all  the  operations  of  the  society,  must  of  course, 
be  exceedingly  embarrassed.  But  the  approbation  of  great 
men.  and  the  sanction  of  great  names,  will  never  go  far  to- 
wards the  attainment  of  any  benevolent  object.  It  is  one  thing 
for  a  professed  orator  to  make  a  speech  in  favour  of  an  enter- 


77 


prise,  and  it  is  quite  another  thing  for  him  to  bring  ail  the  re  = 
sources  of  his  knowledge  and  all  the  powers  of  his  understand- 
ing, to  bear  upon  the  success  of  that  enterprise,  even  though 
it  should  be  at  the  expense  of  his  popularity.  And  it  is  one 
thing  for  a  man  of  wealth  in  a  moment  of  generous  excitement 
to  place  his  name  at  the  head  of  a  subscription  as  the  contribu- 
tor of  thirty,  or  fifty,  or  a  hundred  dollars,  and  it  is  altogether 
a  diiTerent  thing  for  the  same  man  to  renew  his  donation  from 
year  to  year,  when  the  novelty  of  the  affair  has  gone  by,  or 
when  the  cause  is  labouring  under  a  temporary  depression,  or 
when  some  of  his  neighbours  will  laugh  at  his  enthusiasm. 
For  the  success  of  any  benevolent  object,  we  would  rather 
hav  e  the  fav  our  of  one  pious  female,  than  the  favour  ot  five 
rich  men,  who  are  actuated  by  no  stronger  and  steadier  im- 
pulse than  the  generosity  of  their  nature.  And  in  this,  or  any 
similar  undertaking,  the  co-operation  of  the  humble,  noiseless, 
unnoticed  Samuel  J.  Mills,  would  be  better  than  the  co  ope- 
ration of  almost  any  distinguished  man  high  in  office.  It  ought 
not  to  be  expected  that  the  men  who  are  occupied  with  the 
hustle  and  intrigues  of  political  life,  will  (k-vote  their  time  and 
attention  to  the  minor  business  of  doing  good.  They  feel  that 
it  is  enough  for  them  to  bid  the  philanthropist  God-speed.  It 
is  enough  for  them  to  call  the  slave  trade  by  all  the  hard 
names  contained  in  the  vocabulary  of  indignation  or  to  lift 
their  hands  and  their  voices  in  favour  of  popular  enactments 
fonN  abolition  And  it  is  no  more  than  justice  to  them,  that 
the  scanty  pittance  ofinfluence,  which  is  perhaps  all  that  their 
avocations  will  permit  them  to  contribute,  should  be  made  to 
go  as  far  as  possible.  Our  benevolent  institutions  in  New- 
England  act  on  this  principle  ;  and  a  society  hardly  seems  to 
be  organized  unless  it  is  able  to  prefix  to  its  reports  a  bead- 
roll  of  Excellent  and  Honourable  names.  With  this  (act  in 
view,  we  have  been  astonished  to  hear  it  objected  to  the  colo- 
nization society,  that  they  arc  too  anxious  to  secure  the  pa- 
tronage of  great  names.  \Vithout  attempting  a  formal  v  indica- 
tion ol' their  policy  in  this  respect,  we  will  merely  suggest 
t'»at  there  is  an  old  proverb  touching  the  inexpediency  of  that 
man's  beginning  to  throw  stones  who  lives  in  a  glass  house  ; 
and  we  close  this  digression  by  observing  that  much  good 
would  be  accomplished  if  all  our  Senators  and  members  of 
Congress  who  are  enrolled  as  Presidents  and  Vice-Presidents, 
and  Directors  of  Benevolent  Societies,  would  devote  to  the 
objects  which  they  profess  to  patronise,  half  that  attention  and 
half  that  zeal,  which  as  we  do  assuredly  know,  southern  Se- 
nators and  members  of  Congress,  have  devoted  to  the  object 
now  under  consideration. 

The  first  important,  measure  of  the  Board  was  the  sending 


78 

of  amission  of  inquiry  to  Africa  by  the  way  of  England.  This 
was  a  measure  of  obvious  necessity  ;.for  in  what  cher  way 
could  they  obtain  the  information  which  was  indispensable  to 
the  commencement  of  their  enterprise  ?  The  Society's  agents, 
Messrs.  Mills  and  Burgess,  sailed  from  Philadelphia,  Nov. 
16,  1817,  arrived  at  Sierra  Leone  in  March  following,  and 
after  about  two  months  spent  in  a  laborious  and  painful  survey 
of  the  coast,  re-embarked  on  their  voyage  for  America.  The 
memory  of  this  voyage  is  consecrated  in  the  hearts  of  chris- 
tians, by  the  fact  that  soon  after  they  left  Africa,  Samuel  John 
Mills,  the  man  of  God.  whose  name  is  so  intimately  associated 
with  almost  every  great  moral  movement  which  has  been 
made  on  our  continent,  finished  the  work  which  God  had  giity 
en  him  to  do,  and  entered  on  his  reward  in  heaven.  The 
simple  narrative  of  the  missionaries  which  so  beautifully  de- 
scribes their  travels,  and  labours  in  Africa,  has  been  read  by 
thousands,  and  ought  to  be  read  by  all.  It  was  published  en- 
tire in  the  second  annual  Report,  and  the  substance  of  it  may 
be  found  likewise  in  the  biography  of  Mills. 

By  the  exertions  of  some  members  of  the  Colonization  So- 
ciety, it  was  soon  discovered  that  the  law  of  the  United  States 
for  the  abolition  of  the  slave  trade,  enacted  in  1C07,  was  ex- 
tremely defective  in  some  of  its  provisions.  By  one  section 
of  this  law,  the  power  of  disposing  of  any  slaves  who  might 
afterwards  be  introduced  into  the  United  States  was  vested  in 
tiie  Legislatures  of  the  several  states  or  territories  into  which 
they  might  be  imported.  In  conformity  with  this  provision 
the  Legislature  of  Georgia  had  enacted  that  all  negroes  un- 
lawfully introduced  into  that  state,  should  be  sold  by  the 
Executives/or  the  benefit  of  the  state  ;  and  under  that  law,  sales 
to  a  considerable  amount  were  actually  made,  and  the  pro- 
ceeds paid  into  the  state  treasury.  The  same  act,  however, 
recognised  the  existence  and  designs  of  the  Colonization  So- 
ciety, and  provided,  that  if  that  Society  would  engage  to  re- 
ceive such  persons  of  colour  and  transport  them  out  of  the 
country  exclusively  at  their  own  expense,  the  slaves  instead 
of  being  sold  should  be  delivered  into  their  hands.  In  conse- 
quence of  the  representations  of  the  Board  to  Congress,  the 
laws  relative  to  the  slave  trade  were  revised,  and  it  was  de- 
termined to  establish  an  agency  on  the  coast  of  Africa  for  the 
reception  of  rescued  slaves,  and  to  send  from  time  to  time,  a 
national  ship  to  cruize  along  the  coast  so  as  to  abolish  the 
slave  trade  at  its  source.  The  particular  point  at  which  the 
proposed  establishment  should  be  erected,  was  left  to  the 
Executive  ;  and  as  it  was  evident  that  a  co-operation  between 
the  government  and  the  Colonization  Society  would  equally 
promote  the  benevolent  objects  of  both.,  the  President  deter- 


79 

tained  to  locate  the  agency  at  whatever  place  the  Society 
should  select  for  the  site  of  their  colony.  Accordingly,  the 
Elizabeth  was  chartered  which  carried  out  the  agent  of  the 
Society,  and  the  two  agents  of  government,  together  with 
about  eighty  people  of  colour,  who  were  to  commence  the 
settlement,  and  were  to  be  employed  for  a  time  at  the  expense 
of  government,  in  making  the  necessary  preparations  for  the 
reception  of  such  Africans  as  might  be  re-captured.  Though 
the  location  of  the  colony  had  not  been  determined,  it  un- 
expected that  the  agent?  would  easily  procure  a  favourable 
situation  in  the  Bagroo  country.  They  were  compelled  by  n 
variety  of  unfortunate  circumstances  to  land  and  make  a  tem- 
porary establishment  on  the  low,  unhealthy  island  of  Sherbro. 
Here,  while  they  were  attempting  in  vain  to  negotiate  for  land 
with  the  treacherous  natives,  they  were  attacked  by  disease  ; 
and  the  three  agents,  and  twenty  of  the  colonists  were  swept 
away.  The  superintendence  of  the  whole  establishment  de- 
volved on  Daniel  Coker,  one  of  the  most  intelligent  and  res- 
pectable of  the  settlers.  Some  of  the  colonists,  who  by  the 
way  seem  not  on  that  occasion  to  have  been  selected  with 
much  discretion,  became  disorderly  ;  and  the  colony  came 
so  near  to  ruin  that  in  the  spring  of  18^1*  when  it  was  rein- 
forced by  the  arrival  of  Messrs.  Andrus  and  Wiltherger  the 
Society's  agents,  and  Messrs.  Winn  and  E.  Bacon  the  United 
States  agents,  with  23  effective  labourers,  they  were  instruct- 
ed in  consequence  of  the  entire  failure  of  the  negociations  for 
land,  to  seek  the  protection  of  the  British  Government  at 
Sierra  Leone.  The  colonists  were  accordingly  removed  to 
Pourah  Bay  in  the  vicinity  of  Freetown,  Messrs.  Andrus  and 
Bacon  went  to  the  Bassa  country,  and  attempted  unsuccess- 
fully to  purchase  land  for  the  colony.  They  had  scarcely 
returned  from  this  expedition  when  Mr.  Bacon  and  his  wit? 
were  attacked  with  the  sickness  incident  to  the  climate,  and 
sailed  for  America.  Mr.  Andrus  soon  after  died,  (Aug.  27. 
arid  in  the  succeeding  month  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Winn,  within  a  few- 
days  of  each  other,  followed  him  to  the  grave.  In  the  begin- 
ning of  December,  Dr.  Ayres,  who  had  been  sent  out  as  the 
Society's  agent,  and  Lieut.  Stockton  of  the  U.  S.  schooner  Al- 
ligator, sailed  to  Cape  Montserado,  and  after  struggling  with 
great  difficulties  which  they  overcame  by  means  of  their  ac 
quaintance  with  the  African  character,  succeeded  inpurch;i« 
ing  of  King  Peter,  King  George,  King  Zoda,  King  Long  Pe- 
ter, King  Governor,  and  King  Jimmy,  for  the  consideration  of 
about  300  dollars,  a  tract  of  country  large  enough  for  all  the 
present  purposes  of  the  colony,  supplied  with  excellent 
springs  of  water,  fruitful  in  its  soil  and  healthy  in  its  climate, 
on  the  banks  or  a  river  as  large  a=  the  Connecticut.   "  an-1 


80 


with  one  of  the  best  harbours  between  Gibraltar  and  the 
Cape  of  Good  Hope."  The  letter  of  Dr.  Ayres,  containing 
the  history  of  this  transaction,  presents  so  vivid  a  picture  ot 
the  character  and  manners  of  the  natives,  that  we  must  be 
indulged  with  the  following  extracts  : 

"  On  the  11th  of  December,  1821,  in  the  night,  we  came 
to  anchor  off  St.  Paul's  ri^er.  At  daylight  on  the  12th,  got 
under  way  and  soon  observed  several  canoes  coming  off  to  us. 
The  moment  we  anchored,  our  boat  was  out,  and  Mr.  Stock- 
ton and  myself  went  on  shore  before  any  wrong  impression 
could  be  made  on  the  king.  We  landed  on  the  beach,  at  the 
kind's  Krootown,  and  told  them  we  wanted  to  sne  the  king  ; 
we  had  presents  on  board  for  him  ;  and  showed  them  some 
rum  and  tobacco  which  we  had  taken  on  shore  for  him. 

"  Three  or  four  of  the  people  who  had  gathered  round  us 
were  dressed  in  large  striped  hoods,  thrown  over  their  shoul- 
ders, and  had  the  appearance  of  being  people  of  authority. 

"After  waiting  some  time,  they  sent  off  an  express  foi 
king  Peter.  It  had  been  represented  to  us  unsafe  to  go  on 
shore  without  being  armed,  and  that  we  should  certainly  be 
murdered  and  robbed.  But  we  determined  to  go  unarmed, 
as  an  evidence  that  our  aim  was  pacific.  While  sitting  and 
waiting  for  the  king  under  the  shed  of  aK  .ooman,  the  people 
kept  collecting,  most  of  them  with  knives  hanging  to  theii 
sides.  At  length  there  came  hve  or  six  armed  with  muskets. 
I  began  to  think  theie  might  be  some  truth  in  the  reports. 
We  were  now  surrounded  by  lifty  or  sixty,  armed  in  thh 
way,  and  we  were  without  the  means  of  defence,  except  a 
demijohn  of  whiskey  and  some  tobacco.  I  narrowly  watched 
their  countenances,  as  well  as  that  of  Mr.  Stockton.  I  saw 
he  was  no  way  concerned,  and  a  little  observation  showed 
there  was  yet  no  hostility  in  their  intentions. 

M  Express  after  express  was  sent  for  the  king.  After  a  long 
time  one  of  the  most  reputable  looking  men  told  us  '  The  king 
be  fool — he  no  talk  English — I  his  mouth,  what  I  say,  king 
say.  —What  you  want  V  '  We  told  him  we  were  desirous 
of  getting  a  place  in  Africa  to  build  a  house,  make  farms,  &c.' 
After  explaining  our  views  to  this  person,  and  discussing  them 
some  time,  they  sent  another  message  to  the  king,  and  he 
then  made  his  appearance.  He  was  dressed  in  a  cotton  gar- 
ment of  large  blue  and  white  stripes,  thrown  over  his  shoul- 
ders, and  a  person  holding  an  umbrella  over  his  head.  He 
oune,  shook  hands  with  us,  and  took  a  seat.  When  his  inter- 
preter related  to  him  our  object  in  visiting  him,  we  did  not 
fail  to  let  him  know  the  high  estimation  in  which  we  held  him 
for  veracity  and  punctuality,  and  that  this  had  induced  us  to 
prefer  him  to  some  other  Ghiefg  :   and  like  most  monarchs, 


81 


we  found  his  ear  always  open  to  the  sound  of  his  own  praise 
He  said  "  he  thanked  us  for  the  favour  we  had  done  him  in 
coming  to  him  first,  and  we  might  have  land."  We  told  him 
we  wanted  the  Island  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  and  the  Cape, 
He  objected  to  the  Cape,  and  said  "  if  any  white  man  was  to 
settle  on  it,  then  king  Peter  would  die,  they  would  bury  him, 
and  then  his  women  would  cry  a  plenty."  We  did  not  fail  to 
place  in  the  most  favourable  light  ihe  advantages  which  our 
trade  would  be  to  him  ;  but  took  good  care,  after  our  former 
experience,  how  we  attempted  to  oppose  their  prejudices,  or 
to  offer  to  their  consideration  any  views  which  they  could  not 
fully  comprehend  :  we  therefore  said  nothing  of  civilizing  or 
christianizing  them  ;  but  left  this,  hoping  our  future  example 
may  recommend  our  principles  to  their  adoption.  After  sit- 
ting some  time  in  palaver,  the  king  told  us  he  would  see  his 
head  men,  and  next  morning  he  would  meet  us  again  on  the 
beach,  and  make  a  book  for  the  land.  We  gave  them  our 
rum  and  tobacco,  and  returned  to  our  vessel. 

l<  On  the  13th  we  again  went  to  meet  his  majesty.  We  found 
his  head  men  but  no  king,  yet  we  sent  off  an  express  for  him. 
It  was  not  till  after  some  time,  and  several  messages  had  pas- 
sed, that  «re  could  get  him  to  meet  us.  After  sitting  three 
hoars  in  palaver,  the  unfortunate  subject  of  the  slave  trade 
vvas  broached,  and  we  again  broke  up  the  palaver. 

"  Our  prospect  at  this  time  was  very  dull  ;  we  however  de- 
•  -i  mined  not  to  give  up  the  subject  lightly,  and  the  next  day 
went  on  shore  a^ain  where  the  King  appointed  to  meet  us. 
When  we  got  there,  we  found  neither  King  nor  any  of  his 
head  men.  Our  prospects  now  were  truly  discouraging. 
We,  as  we  had  done  before,  sent  off  an  express  for  him.  He 
sent  word  he  would  not  come,  nor  let  us  have  any  land.  It 
then  became  necessary  either  to  go  and  seek  the  King  in  his 
Capital,  or  togive  up  the  case  as  impracticable,  as  all  persons 
had  found  it,  ^vho  bad  attempted  to  negociate  for  this  place 
before.  To  go  to  the  town  was  to  place  ourselves  entirely 
in  the  power  of  a  nation  who  had  always  been  represented  to 
us  so  savage  as  to  render  it  unsafe  to  land  on  their  shore  with- 
out being  completely  armed.  However  we  were  determined 
logo  ;  and  were  conducted  by  a  Kroo-man,  through  dark  dis- 
mal ways,  at  one  time  wading  through  the  water,  and  at  ano- 
ther wallowing  through  the  mud  ;  passing  through  thick  and 
dark  swamps,  in  narrow  paths  for  six  or  seven  miles  into  the 
interior.  If  one  of  us  staid  behind,  the  Krooman  would  hal- 
loo to  us  to  "come  along — the  devil  will  catch  us."  We  at 
length  arrived  at  his  majesty's  capital.  We  were  shown 
into  a  palaver  hall  spread  with  mats,  to  wait  the  coming  of 
the  King.  The  head  men  ^came  and  shook  hand*  with  us, 
L 


82 


mid  informed  us  that  he  was  dressing,  and  would  see  us  in  a 
short  time.  They  looked  ver)  grave,  and  few  of  them  look 
ed  well  pleased.  After  waiting  about  one  hour,  the  King 
made  his  appearance.  Instead  of  coming  and  shaking  hands 
with  us,  he  went  and  seated  himself  under  another  palaver 
hall.  His  prime  minister  then  came  and  invited  us  to  go  to 
the  King.    He  shook  hands  with  us,  but  looked  very  angry. 

"  The  first  word  the  king  said  to  us  was,  'what  you  want 
•that  land  for?'  This  question,  so  often  asked  and  as  often 
answered,  had  again  to  be  explained  to  him.  We  now  found 
that  among  the  Kroomen  who  had  been  on  board  our  vessel 
the  day  before,  there  was  one  who  had  been  engaged  with  the 
father  of  the  Bassa  youth  we  had  on  board.  This  man  told 
them  we  had  taken  away  the  king  of  Bassa's  son  and  killed 
him,  and  when  we  got  the  land,  we  should  cut  their  throats 
and  bury  them,  another  Krooman  saw  some  of  our  colonists 
on  board  and  knew  them,  this  circumstance  gave  them  to  un- 
derstand we  were  the  people  who  had  been  quarreling  so 
much  at  Sherbro,  and,  as  if  these  things  could  not  throw  diffi 
culties  enough  to  try  our  diplomatic  skill,  one  fellow  presen- 
ted himself  to  Lieut.  Stockton,  and  told  him  he  was  one  of 
those  whom  the  Lieutenant  had  captured  on  his  last  voyage, 
in  the  Daphne,  and  they  had  recaptured  heron  their  passage 
home.  These  circumstances  accounted  for  the  change  of 
conduct  ra  the  King  and  people.  Our  cause  now  looked  tru- 
ly deplorable.  We  were  unarmed,  in  the  midst  of  a  nation 
so  exasperated  against  us.  But  Lieut.  Stockton's  dexterity  at 
mixing  flattery  with  a  little  well  timed  threat,  turned  all  to 
our  own  advantage.  When  they  complained  of  his  taking 
the  French  for  trading  with  them  in  slaves,  he  told  them  his 
orders  were  not  to  meddle  with  the  French  or  any  other  na- 
tion. That  when  he  saw  the  French  vessel,  he  sent  his  boat 
to  see  who  she  was  ;  that  they  fired  at  him,  and  when  they 
fought  him,  then  he  whipped  them  and  took  their  vessel  :  that 
he  would  not  suffer  any  body  to  make  a  fool  of  him  :  and  now 
king  Peter  wanted  to  make  a  fool  of  him:  that  he  tell  him, 
three  days,  he  would  let  him  have  land,  and  drink  up  his  rum, 
and  take  his  tobacco,  and  now  he  say  he  shan't  have  any  land: 
this  was  fooling  him.  I  believe  the  old  king  was  afraid  of 
being  served  as  the  French  vessel  was,  for  he  soon  came  to, 
and  promised  to  call  some  more  kings,  and  meet  us  on  the 
shore  next  morning,  and  make  a  book  which  was  to  give  us 
the  land. 

"  The  island  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  we  have  named  Pre* 
serverance,  <  to  perpetuate  the  long  and  tedious  palaver  we 
had  in  obtaining  it.' 

A  settlement  was  begun  without  delay  at  Cape  Montsera 


83 


-do  by  the  colonists  who  had  been  residing  at  Fourah  Bay 
But  in  the  mean  time  the  African  Sovereigns  had  repented  of 
the  bargain  by  which  they  had  introduced  into  their  vicinity 
a  government  favourable  to  the  rights  of  man,  and  the  pro- 
gress of  human  improvement ;  and  like  their  whiter  and  more 
civilized  brethren  of  another  quarter  of  the  Eastern  Conti- 
nent^they  were  alarmed  and  looked  with  jealousy  on  an  in- 
novation which  they  with  their  little  perspicacity  could 
see — threatened  in  its  progress  to  impose  a  new  aspect  on 
the  face  of  the  society,  and  to  do  away  all  the  ancient  and 
venerable  abuses  by  which  their  wealth  and  power  are  sup- 
ported. Accordingly  when  Dr.  Ayres  arrived  with  the  co- 
lonists, he  was  notitied  by  their  majesties  that  the  contract 
must  be  annulled,  and  that  he  could  not  be  permitted  to  set- 
tle. He  however  ventured  to  land,  so  that  while  the  colon- 
ists were  building  their  houses  he  might  negociate  with  the 
kings  at  his  leisure.  The  same  course  of  conduct  which 
Lieut.  Stockton  had  taught  him  to  pursue  on  the  former  oc- 
casion, proved  successful  here.  The  kings  were  intimidated 
by  his  decision  and  by  the  zeal  of  the  settlers,  and  the  treaty 
was  ratified.  But  in  a  few  weeks  the  difficulties  were  re- 
newed. 

"  A  British  prize  slave  vessel  had  solicited  and  obtained 
permission  to  take  water  from  the  Cape.  This  vessel  part- 
ed her  cable  and  was  thrown  on  shore.  The  spirit  of  hostil- 
ity, excited  by  a  dispute  between  the  captain  and  one  of  the 
Kings  added  to  the  powerful  motive  presented  by  the  pre 
sence  of  a  French  vessel  waiting  her  compliment  of  slaves, 
induced  the  natives  to  attack  her,  with  purposes  of  plunder. 
Several  of  our  people  engaged  in  her  defence.  In  the  con- 
test which  ensued,  and  which  they  in  vain  endeavoured  to 
prevent,  two  of  the  natives  were  killed  :  and  on  the  succeed- 
ing day,  a  British  soldier  and  one  of  our  colonists.  Through 
the  criminal  inadvertency  of  an  English  sailor,  who  discharg- 
ed a  cannon  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  store  house,  this 
building  took  fire  :  and  with  it  most  of  the  clothing,  provisions, 
and  utensils  of  the  colony  were  destroyed. — 6th  Rep. — p.  10." 

All  was  now  in  confusion.  The  natives  had  received  de- 
monstration of  the  bearing  which  the  colony  was  to  have  on 
the  slave  trade.  A  grand  palaver  was  assembled,  consisting 
of  seventeen  kings,  and  thirty-four  half  kings.  One  or  f#d 
of  the  most  powerful  of  these  were  the  decided  friends  of  the 
colony,  and  had  armed  their  subjects  lor  war,  in  case  peace 
could  not  be  procured.  Dr.  Ayres  appeared  before  this  con- 
gress, and  gave  them  to  understand  that  he  had  purchased  the 
territory  in  question  and  paid  for  it,  that  therefore  he  intend- 
ed to  retain  it,  and  that  if  they  thought  they  were  able  to  ex 


84 


pel  him  they  might  make  the  attempt,  ami  he  would  show 
them  what  lighting  was  : — he  would  bring  ships,  and  battel 
down  all  the  towns  of  those  who  opposed  him  from  Cape  Mount 
to  the  Line.  "  While  making  this  speech,"  sayshe,  "  I  nar- 
rowly watched  the  countenances  of  Kings  Brister  and  Boson. 
[King  Boson  is  the  most  powerful  friend  of  the  colony.] 
.Brister  showed  evident  signs  of  concern,  but  Boson  shook 
his  sides  very  heartily  with  laughter.  By  this  I  found  I  had 
touched  the  right  chord,  and  did  not  spare  invectives.  The 
other  kings  appeared  uneasy  and  suid  one  to  another,  Oh, 
look  white  man  getting  mad,  white  Vnan  getting  mad  !  Boson* 
to  second  the  impression  I  had  made,  sent  one  of  his  people 
round  to  circulate  a  report  that  there  were  four  large  ships 
a  little  way  to  the  southward,  making  into  the  harbour.''  — 
"  This  threw  all  into  confusion,  and  it  was  with  difficulty  we 
could  keep  the  kings  together  until  the  business  was  settled. 

The  difficulties  having  been  adjusted,  Dr.  Ayres  felt  him- 
self under  the  necessity  of  returning  to  the  United  States,  for 
the  sake  of  obtaining  supplies.  He  accordingly  took  passage 
for  this  country  on  the  fourth  of  June,  1821.  On  the  8th  of 
August  the  settlement  was  reinforced  by  the  arrival  of  the  brig 
Strong  from  Baltimore  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ashmun,  and  thir- 
ty-five colonists,  besides  fifteen  recaptured  Africans.  Mr. 
Ashmun  had  received  a  commission  from  the  Colonization 
Society  to  act  in  their  name  in  case  he  should  find  no  agent  at 
the  colony.  He  accordingly  assumed  the  direction  of  the 
establishment,  laid  out  the  plan  of  a  town,  and  began  to  erect 
such  fortifications  as  might  secure  it  against  any  attack  from 
the  natives. 

It  was  soon  ascertained  that  the  labour  bestowed  on  these 
fortifications  was  not  in  vain.  Many  of  the  kings,  as  we  have 
seen,  were  from  the  beginning  exceedingly  afraid  that  the  in- 
fluence of  the  colony  would  be  to  break  up  all  trade — by 
which  they  mean  the  slave  trade — and  it  is  reasonable  to  sup- 
pose that  their  feelings  of  suspicion  and  hostility  would  not 
be  allayed  by  the  friendly  suggestions  and  admonitions  of  the 
traders.  Accordingly  Mr.  Ashmun  and  his  fellow  labourers 
seem  to  have  been  continually  disturbed  by  reports  of  the 
hostile  designs  of  their  neighbours,  and  to  have  built  the  walls 
ot  their  little  town  somewhat  as  Nehemiah  and  his  country- 
men builded  the  walls  of  Jerusalem ;  "  every  one  with  one  of 
his  hands  wrought  in  the  work,  and  with  the  other  held  a  weap- 
on." On  the  morning  of  November  1 1th  they  were  attacked 
by  a  body  of 800  natives,  who  coming  upon  them  by  surprise, 
gained  possession  of  the  settlement,  till  after  one  or  two  dis- 
charges of  the  eighteen  pounder,  they  betook  themselves  to 
flight.    On  the  second  of  December  they  returned  with  a 


85 


Still  greater  force  amounting  to  about  1500,  and  attacked  si- 
multaneously in  two  opposite  quarters,  but  after  receiving  a 
few  shots  from  the  territic  ';  great  guns,"  they  made  a  hasty, 
'leparture.  They  miiiht  perhaps  h;«ve  been  entirely  cut  off] 
by  these  repeated  assaults,  had  it  not  been  for  the  interference/ 
of  a  British  schooner  which'  providentially  made  its  appear- 
ance in  this  season-  of  distress.  A  cessation  of  hostilities  was 
effected  by  the  mediation  of  Capt.  Laing,  the  distinguished 
African  traveller  who  was  on  board,  and  twenty  mariners  were 
landed  to  guaranty  the  observance  of  the  truce  till  the  difficul- 
ties should  he  finally  adjusted.  When  it  is  remembered  that 
in  this  contest  the  whole  effective  force  of  the  colony  was 
twenty-eight  men  and  boys,  and  that  the  whole  loss  was  only 
three  killed  and  four  wounded,  we  may  regard  the  result  a- 
proving  at  once  the  bravery  of  the  settlers  and  the  coward- 
ice of  the  natives.  In  the  trepidation  of  the  assault,  doubtless 
neither  Mr.  Ashmun  nor  the  colonists  would  be  able  to  form 
a  very  cool  and  deliberate  estimate  of  the  number  of  assail- 
ants ;  but  after  making  every  allowance  for  their  seeing 
things  double  on  such  an  occasion,  it  must  be  considered  as 
proved,  that  one  hundred  well  armed  freemen,  fighting  for 
their  liberty,  and  their  children,  and  their  homes,  may  de- 
fend the  colony  against  all  the  hordes  that  can  ever  be  mus- 
tered by  the  holy  alliance  of  Africa.  And  here  we  cannot 
but  remark  that  this  affair  illustrates  very  strikingly  the  dif- 
ference between  the  wild  men  of  that  continent,  and  the  wild 
men  of  America.  If  that  establishment  had  been  attacked,  by 
800,  ar500,  or  200  Indians, — we  should  have  known  its  fate 
only  by  conjecture. 

It  was  not  to  be  expected  that  an  arrangement  like  the 
one  above  mentioned  would  place  the  settlers  immediately  in 
a  state  of  entire  security  and  comfort.  Accordingly,  when 
the  Cyane  arrived  on  the  coast,  where  she  had  been  sent  to 
execute  the  laws  against  the  slave  trade,  she  found  them  in  a 
suffering  condition.  The  noble  and  disinterested  exertions  of 
Captain  Spence  and  his  crew,  in  erecting  a  house  for  the 
agent,  and  a  tower  of  strong  mason  work  for  the  defence  of 
the  town,  are  gratefully  acknowledged  by  the  Managers  in 
their  address  to  the  public  inserted  in  the  last  number  of  the 
Spectator.  This  tower  which  is  expected  to  bid  defiance  to 
the  barbarians,  has  been  called  Stockton  Castle.  Africa  will 
hereafter  honour  the  men  who  are  labouring  for  her  deliver-  \y 
ance.  Her  mountains  and  rivers,  her  provinces  and  cities.  I 
while  they  testify  her  gratitude,  will  be  the  monuments  of rf\ 
their  benevolence.  And  though  friends  and  the  public  may 
weep  at  the  loss  of  those  who  perish  beneath  the  stroke  of 
the  sun  by  day,  or  of  the  moon  bv  night,  while  labouring  in 


TJ6 

behalf  of  suffering  humanity  ;  yet  there  is  a  consolation  m 
the  thought;  that  they  have  perished  in  a  cause,  for  which 
they  need  not  be  ashamed  to  be  martyrs.  If  we  honour  the 
memory  of  those  who  die  on  the  bloody  deck  in  extending 
the  fame  of  American  valour  ;  surely  we  ought  to  honour  with  a 
double  reverence  the  memory  of  those  who  sacrifice  their  lives 
to  extend  the  triumphs  of  American  philanthrophy.  It  makes 
us  feel  proud  of  our  country,  to  see  the  zeal,  and  efficiency, 
which  have  uniformly  been  displayed  by  the  officers  and  sea- 
men of  the  national  vessels  that  have  been  appointed  from  time 
to  time  to  the  African  station.  "  Most  of  my  associates,"  said 
lieutenant  Stockton,  "  were  ready  (and  I  sincerely  believe 
it)  to  sacrifice  on  the  altar  of  humanity,  convenience,  comfort, 
interest  and  health." 

In  April  last,  Dr.  Ayres  sailed  from  Baltimore  in  the  brig 
Oswego  with  sixty  new  settlers, — if  their  voyage  was  favour- 
able they  must  have  arrived  there  more  than  two  months  ago. 

A  trading  company  has  been  formed  in  Baltimore,  which 
if  the  plan  succeeds  will  hereafter  afford  the  means  of  a  con- 
stant and  regular  communication  with  the  colony.  This  com- 
pany consisting  of  a  few  respectable  merchants  was  formed 
with  the  approbation  of  the  Board,  and  will  we  trust  have  an 
important  connection  with  the  regeneration  of  Africa.  Its 
design  is,  we  believe,  after  having  made  a  fair  experiment  to 
run  two  or  more  vessels  as  regular  traders  between  Baltimore 
and  Cape  Montserado.  These  will  of  course  afford  the  means 
of  conveyance  to  such  as  are  desirous  of  emigrating.  The 
first  vessel  sailed  at  the  beginning  of  June  and  carried  a  few 
passengers. 

The  present  condition  of  the  the  colony  may  be  briefty 
described.    It  consists  of  140*  settlers  under  the  direction  of 

wo  agents,  ardently  devoted  to  the  cause,  accustomed  to  their 
business,  seasoned  to  the  climate,  and  well  acquainted  with 
the  African  character.  These  men  occupy  a  soil  of  whose 
productiveness  it  is  difficult  for  an  inhabitant  of  our  climate  to 
form  any  adequate  conception.  By  the  latest  accounts  the 
controversy  with  the  natives  seems  to  have  terminated  entire- 
ly to  their  satisfaction,  so  that  the  former  intercourse  with 

hem  for  the  purposes  of  trade  has  been  resumed,  and  the 
■settlers  can  clear  and  cultivate  their  lands  without  danger. 

Such  is  the  history  of  the  American  Colonization  Society. 
Its  design  is  general — the  benefit  of  the  whole  African  race. 
Its  plan  of  operations  specific,  the  establishment  on  the  coast 

tf  Africa  of  a  colony  of  free  people  of  colour  from  America. 
It  is  not  a  Missionary  Society,  nor  a  society  for  the  suppres- 
sion of  the  slave  trade,  nor  a  society  for  the  improvement  of 
*  At  this  time.  March,  18?4.  the  number  is  about  240. 


87 


the  blacks,  nor  a  society  for  the  abolition  of  slavery.  It  is 
simply  a  society  for  establishing  a  colony  on  the  coast  of  Afri- 
ca, and  so  far  as  any  of  these  other  objects  are  attained  by  its 
efforts,  they  must  be  attained  either  as  the  means,  or  as  the 
consequences  of  establishing  that  colony.  But  limited  as  are 
the  operations  of  this  institution,  it  appears  to  us  to  be  the  only 
institution  which  promises  any  thing  great  or  effectual  for  the 
benefit  of  the  black  po0Ulation  of  our  country.  A  single  glance 
at  the  condition  of  these  beings,  and  at  the  obstacles  which  lie 
in  the  way  of  their  improvement,  is  enough  to  convince  us  of 
this. 

There  is  at  present  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States, 
a  coloured  population  of  one  million,  seven  hundred  and 
sixty-nine  thousand.  The  character,  and  circumstances  of 
*his  class  of  the  community  fall,  to  some  extent,  under  the 
personal  observation  of  every  man.  Who  is  there,  that  does 
not  know  something  of  the  condition  of  the  blacks  in  the  nor- 
thern and  middle  states  ?  They  may  be  seen  in  our  cr'~ 
and  larger  towns,  wandering  like  foreigners  and  outcasts^in 
the  land  which  gave  them  birth.  They  may  be  seen  in  our 
penitentiaries,  and  jails,  and  poor  houses.  They  may  be 
found  inhabiting  the  abodes  of  poverty,  and  the  haunts  of  vice. 
But  if  we  look  for  them  in  the  society  of  the  honest  and  re- 
spectable— if  we  visit  the  schools  in  which  it  is  our  boast  thai 
the  meanest  citizen  can  enjoy  the  benefits  of  instruction — wo, 
might  also  add,  if  we  visit  the  sanctuaries  wh-ich  are  open  for 
all  to  worship,  and  to  hear  the  word  of  God  ;  we  shall  not 
find  them  there.  The  Soodra  is  not  farther  separated  from 
the  Brahmin  in  regard  to  all  his  privileges,  civil,  intellectual 
and  moral ;  than  the  negro  is  from  the  white  man  by  the 
prejudices  which  result  from  the  difference  made  between 
them  by  the  God  of  nature.  A  barrier  more  difficult  to 
be  surmounted  than  the  institution  of  the  Caste>  cuts  oil 
and  while  the  present  state  of  society  continues  must  always 
cutoff,  the  negro  from  all  that  is  valuable  in  citizenship.  In 
his  infancy,  he  finds  himself,  he  knows  not  why,  the  scorn  o< 
his  playmates,  from  the  first  moment  that  their  little  finger- 
can  he  pointed  at  him  in  derision.  In  youth,  he  has  no  in 
centive  to  prepare  for  an  active  and  honourable  manhood. 
No  visions  of  usefulness,  or  respectability,  animate  his  pros- 
pects. In  maturer  years,  he  has  little  motive  to  industry,  01 
to  any  honourable  exertion.  He  is  always  degraded  in  the 
estimation  of  the  community,  and  the  deep  sense  of  that  de- 
gradation enters  into  his  soul,  and  makes  him  degraded  indeed. 
We  know  that  there  are  individuals,  who  in  spite  of  all  these 
obstacles  to  moral  and  social  improvement,  have  acquired  a 
character  of  respectability,  and  piety.    But  instances  like 


88 


these,  occasioned  by  the  peculiar  circumstances  or  powers  of 
the  individuals,  cannot  be  brought  to  disprove  the  general  as 
sertion,  which  we  make  without  the  fear  of  contradiction,  that 
the  blacks  are  degraded,  without  any  proper  means  of  im- 
provement, or  any  sufficient  incentive  to  exertion,  that  they 
present  the  strange  anomaly  of  a  large  part  of  the  nation  that 
loves  to  call  itself  the  freest,  and  happiest,  and  most  enlightened 
nation  on  the  globe,  separated  by  ob^cles  which  they  did 
not  create,  and  which  they  cannot  surmount,  from  all  the  in- 
stitutions and  privileges  to  which  the  other  portions  of  the 
community  owe  their  superiority. 

But  there  is  another  still  more  important  characteristic  of 
the  condition  of  our  coloured  population,  in  comparison  with 
which  ever}'  other  circumstance  dwindles  into  insignificance  ; 
and  from  which  all  that  we  have  already  said  is  only  a  single 
necessary  consequence.  We  mean  slavery.  And  on  this 
subject  we  must  express  ourselves  brietly,  yet  boldly.  We 
have  heard  of  slavery  as  it  existed  in  the  nations  of  antiquity, 
we  have  heard  of  slavery  as  it  exists  in  Asia,  and  Africa,  and 
Turkey;  we  have  heard  of  the  feudal  slavery  under  which 
■he  peasantry  of  Europe  have  groaned  from  the  days  of  Alaric, 
until  now  ;  but  excepting  only  the  horrible  system  of  the 
West  India  Islands,  we  have  never  heard  of  slavery  in  any 
country,  ancient  or  modern,  pagan,  Mahommedan,  or  chris- 
tian, so  terrible  in  its  character  ;  so  pernicious  in  its  tendency; 
so  remediless  in  its  anticipated  results,  as  the  slavery  which 
exists  in  these  United  States.  We  do  not  mean  here  to  speak 
of  slavery  as  a  system  of  bonds  and  stripes  and  all  kinds  of 
bodily  suffering.  On  this  point,  there  is,  we  believe,  a  great 
degree  of  misapprehension  among  our  fellow  citizens  of  the 
North.  Many  of  them  are  accustomed  to  associate  with  the 
name  of  slavery,  all  that  is  horrible  in  the  details  of  the  Afri- 
can trade,  and  all  that  is  terrific  in  the  cruelties  of  Jamaica 
and  Porto  Rico.  But  we  rejoice  in  the  belief  that  these  con- 
ceptions are  erroneous  ;  and  that  though  there  may  be  in- 
stances of  unpunished,  and  sometimes  perhaps  almost  unno- 
ticed barbarity,  the  condition  of  a  slave  in  most  parts  of  the 
United  States  is  generally  as  much  superior  to  that  of  a  slave 
in  the  West  Indies,  as  the  condition  of  an  American  farmer  is 
to  that  of  an  Irish  peasant.  Here  we  are  ready  to  make  what 
all  will  consider  the  most  liberal  concessions.  We  are  ready 
even  to  grant,  for  our  present  purpose,  that,  so  far  as  mere 
animal  existence  is  concerned,  the  slaves  have  no  reason  to 
complain,  and  the  friends  of  humanity  have  no  reason  to  com- 
plain for  them.  And  when  we  use  the  strong  language  which 
we  feel  ourselves  compelled  to  use  in  relation  to  this  subject, 
we  do  not  mean  to  speak  of  animal  suffering,  but  of  an  irn- 


89 


mense  moral  and  political  evil, — of  slavery  as  it  stands  con- 
nected with  the  wealth  and  strength,  and  more  especially 
with  the  character  and  happiness  of  our  nation. 

We  have  no  room  to  enlarge  on  the  political  aspect  of  this 
subject.  We  will  only  ask — where  would  be  the  enterprise 
and  the  wealth  and  the  strength  of  New-England,  if  her  green 
hills  and  pleasant  vallies  were  cultivated  no  longer  by  her 
own  independent  and  hardy  yeomanry,  but  by  the  degraded 
serfs  of  a  Polish  aristocracy  ?  And  what  would  not  Virginia 
become,  if  she  could  exchange  her  four  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  thousand  slaves  for  as  many  freemen,  who,  in  blood  and 
complexion,  as  well  hs  in  immunities  and  enjoyments,  should 
he  one  with  (he  proudest  of  her  children  ? 

But  the  mere  politician  c.mnot  f;til,  in  estimating  the  mag- 
nitude of  this  evil,  to  look  at  its  moral  tendency.  The  great 
men  of  the  south  have  looked  at  it  in  this  aspect,  and  have 
expressed  themselves  accordingly.  Judge  Washington  pro- 
nounces it  to  be  "  an  inherent  vice  in  the  community."  Mr. 
Jefferson  uses  language  on  this  subject,  too  strong:  for  even  a 
northern  man  to  regard  it  as  strictly  true,  'n  his  Notes  on 
Virgmia,  he  says—"  The  whole  com"»«rce  between  master 
and  slave,  is  a  perpetual  exercise  <**  the  most  boisterous  pas- 
sions, the  most  unremitting  despotism  on  the  one  part,  and 
degrading  submission  on  the  other."  "  The  parent  storms, 
the  child  look*  ^n,  catches  the  lineaments  of  wrath,  puts  on 
the  sam*>  -drs  in  a  smaller  circle  of  slaves,  gives  a  loose  to  his 
v.-^ist  passions,  and  thus  nursed,  educated,  and  daily  exer- 
cised in  tyranny,  cannot  but  be  stamped  with  odious  peculiari- 
ties." "  I  tremble  for  my  country  when  I  reflect  that  God  is 
just,  and  that  his  justice  cannot  sleep  for  ever."  And  speak- 
ing  of  the  probability,  that  the  blacks  may  assert  their  free- 
dom, lie  adds,  "  the  Almighty  h;;s  no  attribute  which  can  take 
side  with  us  in  such  a  contest."  It  would  be  easy  to  collect 
the  sentiments  of  many  highly  honoured  individuals  in  the 
southern  states  who  have  expressed  themselves  as  decidedly 
if  not  as  strongly.  But  it  is  enough  to  say,  in  regard  to  the 
moral  influence  of  the  system  on  the  blacks,  that  laws  exist  in 
nearly  all  the  slave- holding  states,  prohibiting  their  instruc- 
tion, and  even  driving  them  from  Sunday  schools,  because  the 
public  safety  requires  them  to  be  kept  in  perfect  ignorance  ; 
and  in  regard  to  its  influence  on  the  white  population,  that 
the  most  lamentable  proof  of  its  deteriorating  effects  mav  be 
found  in  the  fact,  that  excepting  the  pious  whose  hearts  are 
governed  by  the  christian  law  of  reciprocity  between  man  and 
mari,  and  the  wise  whose  minds  have  looked  far  into  the  rela- 
tions and  tendencies  of  things,  none  can  be  found  to  lift  their 
voices  against  a  system  so  utterlv  gepogriant  to  the  feeling  ot 
M 


90 


unsophisticated  humanity — a  system  which  permits  all  the 
atrocities  of  the  domestic  slave-trade — which,  permits  the  fa- 
ther to  sell  his  children,  as  he  would  his  cattle — a  system 
which  consigns  one  half  of  the  community  to  hopeless  and 
utter  degradation,  and  which  threatens  in  its  final  catastrophe 
to  bring  down  the  same  ruin  on  the  master  and  the  slave. 

There  are  two  considerations  in  view,  of  which  we  ventur- 
ed to  remark  that  the  slavery  which  exists  in  our  country  is 
more  ominous  in  its  character  and  tendency  than  any  similar 
system  which  has  ever  existed  in  other  countries.  The  first 
is,  that  slavery  contradicts  the  primary  principles  of  our  re- 
publican government.  Slavery  was  not  inconsistent  with  the 
principles  of  Grecian  and  Roman  democracy.  It  is  in  perfect, 
harmony  with  the  systems  of  government,  which,  excepting 
Great  Britain  and  Switzerland,  prevail  in  every  province  of 
the  old  world,  from  the  Frozen  Ocean  to  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope,  and  from  the  Bay  of  Biscay  to  the  Pacific.  But  it 
stands  in  direct  opposition  to  all  the  acknowledged  and  boasted 
maxims  in  which  is  laid  the  foundation  of  our  political  institu- 
tions. The  other  consideration  to  which  we  refer  is,  that 
which  spreads  terrouv  over  every  aspect  in  which  the  subject 
can  be  viewed,  and  whl<A>  seems  to  tell  us — tor  all  these 
evils  there  is  no  remedy.  It  is  me  fact  that  the  slaves,  and 
those  who  have  been  slaves,  and  thoSQ  whose  fathers  have 
been  slaves,  are  all  marked  out  and  stigmatized  with  the 
brand  which  nature  has  stamped  upon  them.  In  Greece  and 
Rome,  as  in  almost  every  other  nation,  a  slave  might  be  mnde 
free,  and  then  he  was  no  longer  a  slave,  but  he  was  amalga- 
mated with  the  rest  of  the  community,  and  the  road  of  wealth 
or  houour  or  office  was  open  before  him,  and  his  interests 
were  united  with  the  interests  of  the  republic.  But  here  the 
thing  is  impossible  :  a  slave  cannot  be  really  emancipated. 
You  cannot  raise  him  from  the  abyss  of  his  degradation.  You 
may  call  him  free,  ycu  may  enact  a  statute  book  of  laws  to 
make  him  free,  but  you  cannot  bleach  him  into  the  enjoyment 
of  freedom. 

Now  apply  to  this  subject  one  very  simple  arithmetical 
calculation.  In  1820  the  slave  population  of  the  country  was 
1,500,000.  Their  annual  increase  is  estimated  at  35,000. 
Their  number  doubles  in  less  than  20  years.  Things  remain- 
ing as  they  now  are,  in  1 840  we  shall  have  3,000,000  of  slaves  ; 
in  1860,  6,000,000;  and  in  1880,  12,000,000;  a  nation  of 
slaves  larger  by  4,000,000  than  the  whole  present  white  po- 
pulation of  the  United  States.  What  a  state  of  things  will  this 
be.  Twelve  millions  of  slaves.  1  A  nation  scattered  and 
peeled,'  '  a  nation  meted  out  and  trodden  down  ;' — and  God 
forbid  that  it  should  be  written  in  the  blood  and  echoed  in  the 


91 


groans  of  that  generation — "a  nation  terrible  from  their  be- 
ginning hitherto."  But  even  in  the  short  sixty  years  which 
must  elapse  before  such  a  stale  of  things  can  take  place,  how 
much  terrour  and  anxiety  must  be  endured,  how  many  plots 
must  be  detected,  how  many  insurrections  must  be  quelled. 

Plots!  and  insurrections!  These  are  words  of  terrour; 
but  their  terribleness  is  no  argument  agninst  the  truth  of 
what  we  say.    If  things  go  on  as  they  are,  words  more  terri- 
ble than  these  must  be  "  familiar  in  our  mouths."    For,  not- 
withstanding all  that  may  be  done  to  keep  the  slaves  in  igno- 
rance, the}'  are  learning,  and  will  continue  to  learn,  something 
of  their  own  power,  and  something  of  the  tenure  by  which 
they  are  held  in  bondage.    They  are  surrounded  by  the  me- 
morials of  freedom.    The  air  which  they  breathe  is  free  ; 
and  the  soil  on  which  they  tread,  and  which  they  water  with 
their  tears,  is  a  land  of  liberty.    Slaves  are  never  slow  in 
learning  that  they  are  fettered,  and  that  freedom  is  the  birth 
right  of  humanity.    Our  slaves  will  not  be  always  ignorant — 
and  when  that  righteous  Providence,  which  never  wants  in- 
struments to  accomplish  its  designs,  whether  of  mercy,  or  of 
vengeance,  shall  raise  up  a  Touissaiut,  or  a  Spartacus,  or  an 
African  Tecumseh,  his  fellow  slaves  will  flock  around  his 
standard,  and  we  shall  witness  scenes  which  history  describes, 
but  from  the  thought  of  which  the  imagination  revolts.  Not 
that  there  is  any  reason  to  anticipate  such  an  insurrection  as 
will  result  in  the  emancipation  of  the  slaves,  and  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  black  empire.    A  general  insurrection  in  the 
southern  states,  might  indeed  destroy  their  cities,  might  deso- 
late their  plantations,  might  turn  their  rivers  to  blood  ;  but  to 
be  finally  successful,  it  must  be  delayed  for  more  than  two  or 
three  generations, — it  must  be  delayed  till  the  blacks  have 
force  enough  to  re-i^t  successfully  the  energies  of  the  whole 
American  people  ;  for  at  any  time  within  sixty  or  a  hundred 
years,  the  beacon  fires  of  insurrection  would  only  rally  the 
strength  of  the  nation,  and  the  ill-fated  Africans,  if  not  utterly 
exterminated,  would  be  so  nearly  destroyed  that  they  must 
submit  to  a  bondage  more  hopeless  than  ever. 

Cannot  the  people  of  the  United  States  be  roused  to  an  ef- 
fort for  the  partial,  if  not  for  the  entire,  removal  of  the  evil? 
attendant  on  the  circumstances  of  our  black  population  ?  We 
refer  to  all  these  evils  ;  though  they  cannot  all  be  enumerated, 
for  their  name  is  legion.  We  refer  to  the  condition  of  all  the 
blacks  whether  bond  or  free.  They  are  wretched,  and  their 
wretchedness  ought  to  be  alleviated.  They  are  dangerous 
to  the  community,  and  this  danger  ought  to  be  removed. 
Their  wretchedness  arises  not  only  from  their ^bondage,  but 
from  their  political  and  moral  degradation-    The  danger  is 


92 


not  so  much  that  we  have  a  million  and  a  half  of  slaves,  as 
that  we  have  within  our  borders  nearly  two  millions  of  men 
who  are  necessarily  any  thing  rather  than  loyal  citizens — 
nearly  two  millions  of  ignorant  and  miserable  beings  who  are 
banded  together  by  the  very  same  circumstances,  by  which 
they  are  so  widely  separated  in  character  and  in  interest  from 
nil  the  citizens  of  our  great  republic.    The  question  is,  can- 
not the  people  of  the  United  States  be  induced  to  do  some- 
thing effectual  for  the  removal  of  these  evils  ?  Without  doubt 
they  can  be  roused  to  an  effort  ;  for  in  a  nation  so  far  under 
(he  influence  of  christian  principle  as  ours,  there  is  a  spirit 
which  will  answer  to  the  voice  of  benevolence  when  it  pleads 
the  cause  of  humanity.    It  did  answer  in  England,  when  Wil- 
berforce  and  Clarkson  lifted  up  their  cry  against  the  wrongs  of 
Africa;  and  the  consequence  of  their  unwearied  labours  has 
been  the  formal  abolition  of  the  slave-trade  by  every  christian 
power  in  both  continents,  and  such  a  total  revolution  in  public 
sentiment,  that  all  who  are  not  immediately  interested  in  the 
nefarious  traffick  are  ready  to  denounce  it  as  the  most  high- 
handed outrage  that  ever  was  practised  by  fraud  and  power 
against  simplicity  and  weakness.    If  the  philanthropists  of 
America  will  summon  up  their  energies  to  a  like  effort — if 
they  will  never  cease  to  warn  their  fellow-citizens  of  the  ex- 
tent and  nature  of  these  evils — if  they  will  properly  set  before 
the  public  the  political  and  intellectual  and  moral  degradation 
of  the  blacks,  and  the  danger  which  results  from  this  degra- 
dation ; — the  same  spirit  which  answered  to  the  plea  of  Wil- 
berforce  will  answer  them,  and  the  effect  of  their  labours  will 
be  seen  in  the  sympathizing  efforts  of  all  the  enlightened  and 
benevolent.    We  doubt  not  that  the  public  may  be  excited  on 
this  subject,  and  if  excited  they  may  put  forth  such  an  effort 
ns  will  alleviate  the  evils  in  question,  and  long  delay,  if  not 
utterly  prevent,  their  final  catastrophe.    The  excitement  re- 
quired is  not  a  momentary,  feverish,  half  delirious  excite- 
ment, like  that  produced  by  the  agitation  of  the  Missouri 
question — it  must  be  something  more  calm  and  permanent. 
It  must  not  be  a  sudden  torrent  passing  away  w  ith  the  cloud 
that  gave  it  birth  ;  but  a  river  whose  broad,  deep,  peaceful 
streams  are  supplied  by  perennial  fountains,  and  whose  pure 
waters,  like  the  waters  of  Jordan,  shall  wash  away  from  our 
national  character  this  foul  and  loathsome  leprosy. 

But  what  shall  be  done  ?  This  excitement  must  have  a  de- 
finite object, — what  shall  that  object  be  ?  what  kind  of  effort 
is  demanded  ?  We  answer,  first,  any  effectual  effort  for  the 
benefit  of  the  blacks  must  be  such  as  will  unite  the  patriotic 
and  benevolent,  in  all  parts  of  the  country.  There  is  per- 
haps no  subject  which  excites  so  much  of  what  is  called  sec- 


93 


:ional  feeling,  so  much  of  jealousy  at  the  south,  so  much  oi  O)  Af.-A 
exultation  at  the  north,  and  so  much  of  indignant  invective  ^  6±<****  \Tj  , 
in  all  parts  of  the  Union,  as  the  subject  before  us,  in  any  of  jf^  •  £l  ,  ikj^fL 
its  relations.  But  this  feeling  at  the  north  and  at  the  south, 
is  equally  unreasonable,  not  to  say  equally  criminal.  The 
difference  in  regard  to  slavery  and  a  negro  population,  be- 
tween New-England  and  Georgia,  we  owe  not  to  ourselves, 
or  to  our  fathers,  but  to  the  God  who  has  placed  our  habita- 
tion where  the  climate  forbade  the  introduction  of  Africans, 
and  where  the  hard  soil  could  be  cultivated  only  by  the  hands 
of  freemen.  Had  the  rough  hills,  and  the  cold  winds,  and 
the  long  winters  of  New-England,  been  exchanged  for  the 
rich  plains  and  the  burning  sun  and  the  enervating  breezes  of 
Carolina,  all  the  sacred  principles  of  puritanism  would  not 
have  prevented  the  introduction  of  slavery,  at  a  time  when 
hardly  a  man  could  be  found  in  either  hemisphere,  to  raise 
his  voice  against  the  enormity,  and  when  England  was  deter- 
mined to  infect  all  her  colonies  with  the  debilitating  and 
deadly  poison.  What  occasion  then  can  we  have  to  exult 
over  our  fellow-citizens  ?  It  is  as  if  the  heir  to  an  estate 
should  exult  in  the  poverty  of  his  neighbour.  It  is  as  if  the 
man  in  health  should  glory  over  his  brother  in  sickness  — 
And  it  is  with  indignation  that  we  sometimes  see  the  editors 
of  political  journals,  in  one  part  of  the  country,  attempting 
to  kindle  and  cherish  such  feelings  ; — for  every  such  attempt 
excites  and  increases,  and  in  some  measure  excuses,  that 
techy  sensibility,  in  respect  to  this  subject,  which  the  people 
of  the  south  are  always  too  ready  to  manifest.  But  still  we 
are  happy  to  believe,  that  notwithstanding  all  the  vapouring 
of  newspaper  declaimers,  the  great  majority  of  the  northern 
people  regard  the  matter,  at  least  in  times  of  calm  reflection, 
with  far  more  enlarged,  liberal,  national  feelings,  than  is  com- 
monly imagined  by  their  southern  brethren.  And  we  will 
even  express  our  belief,  that  there  is  hardly  any  enterprise 
to  which  the  militia  of  Vermont  or  Connecticut  would  march 
with  more  zeal,  than  to  crush  a  servile  rebellion,  (if  such  an 
event  should  ever  take  place,  with  all  its  cruelties  and  hor- 
rors) in  Virginia.  The  people  of  Maine  belong  to  the  same 
great  community  with  the  people  of  Georgia  ;  and  hence 
they  desire  at  once  the  right  and  the  duty  of  interfering  to 
alleviate,  and  if  possible  to  remove,  an  evil  which  affects  the 
prosperity  and  safety  of  the  whole  American  empire.  The 
people  of  the  south  should  know  this,  and  if  they  once  see 
their  fellow-citizens  engaging  calmly  and  kindly  in  real  effort* 
for  the  alleviation  of  this  evil,  their  prejudices  will  be  done 
away,  and  they  will  acknowledge  the  unsensonableness  of 
their  jealousies.    If  the  people  of  New-England  will  talk  less 


94 


of  the  guilt  of  slavery,  and  more  of  the  means  of  counter 
acting  its  political  and  moral  tendencies  ;  or  if,  when  they 
speak  of  its  guilt,  they  would  acknowledge  that  New-Eng- 
land is  a  partaker  ;  if  they  will  remember  that  it  was  their 
ships  and  sailors  that  carried  the  Africans  in  chains  across  the 
ocean,  and  that  there  are  now  men  among  them  who  are  liv- 
ing on  "  the  price  of  blood," — men  whose  wealth  was  "  earn- 
ed" by  "  sinews  bought  and  sold  !" — if  they  will  speak  of 
this  subject  with  the  modesty,  and  think  of  it  with  the  shame, 
which  such  remembrances  are  calculated  to  inspire,  they  may 
soon  find  that  there  are  principles  and  schemes  of  enterprise 
in  which  the  benevolent  of  all  the  states  can  unite  : — And 
would  not  a  national  effort,  for  the  removal  of  this  national 
evil,  do  away  local  prejudices,  and  bind  together  the  different 
parts  of  the  Union,  with  a  closer  bond  of  national  teeling  ? 

An  effort  for  the  benefit  of  the  blacks,  in  which  all  parts 
of  the  country  can  unite,  of  course  must  not  have  the  aboli- 
tion of  slavery  for  its  immediate  object.  Nor  may  it  aim  di- 
rectly at  the  instruction  of  the  great  body  of  the  blacks. — In 
either  case,  the  prejudices  and  terrors  of  the  slave-holding 
States  would  be  excited  in  a  moment  ;  and  with  reason  too, 
for  it  is  a  well-established  point,  that  the  public  safety  forbids 
either  the  emancipation  or  the  general  instruction  of  the 
slaves.  It  requires  no  great  skill  to  see  that  the  moment  you 
raise  this  degraded  community  to  an  intellectual  existence, 
their  chains  will  burst  asunder  like  the  fetters  of  Sampson, 
and  they  will  stand  forth  in  the  might  and  dignity  of  man- 
hood,  and  in  all  the  terrors  of  a  long  injured  people,  thirst^ 
ing  for  vengeance. 

J3ut,  notwithstanding  these  restrictions,  occasioned  by  the 
necessity  of  the  case,  and  the  danger  of  exciting  jealousy, 
the  effort  in  question  must  be  a  great  effort — great  in  its  con- 
ception and  great  in  its  details.  We  mean  that  there  must  be 
a  magnificence  in  its  immediate  object,  and  an  attractiveness 
in  every  step  of  its  progress,  which  will  not  let  it  be  forgotten 
or  overlooked  among  the  numberless  enterprises  fc.f  the  age. 
There  is  a  certain  simple  grandeur  in  the  design  of  the 
Bible  Society,  which  fills  the  whole  mind  of  the  b*eholder, 
and  awakens  the  benevolent  heart  to  ecstacy,  as  it  contem- 
plates the  mighty  scheme  in  all  its  relations.  It  is  this  which 
has  united,  in  the  holy  undertaking,  christians  of  every  name 
and  of  every  country,  and  it  is  this  which  will  always  unite 
them,  till  the  design  of  the  Bible  Society  shall  attain  its  per^ 
feet  accomplishment.  The  Missionary  Society,  with  perhaps 
less  of  that  imposing  simplicity,  in  its  place  seizes  on  the 
attention  and  affections  of  the  public,  by  the  charm  which 
ja  thrown  over  all  its  proceedings.    Every  new  report  of  its 


95 


progress,  every  letter  from  a  distant  missionary,  awakens  in 
the  supporters  of  the  enterprise,  a  higher  joy  and  a  livelier 
interest.  And  it  is  this  increasing  brightness  in  the  details 
of  its  progress,  which  will  always  make  it  fresh  and  beautiful 
to  the  benevolent  eye,  till  '  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  shall 
become  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord.'  So  any  effort  for  the 
removal  of  the  evils  to  which  our  attention  has  been  directed, 
before  it  can  become  powerful  and  lasting,  must  have  some- 
thing of  the  same  character.  There  must  be  a  similar  gran- 
deur in  its  object  to  arrest  the  public  attention  ;  and  to  keep 
up  that  attention,  there  must  be  the  same  interest  thrown 
over  the  successive  events  of  its  history.  Without  the  one. 
the  great  body  of  the  people  will  not  engage  in  the  enter- 
prise ;  without  the  other,  they  will  not  maintain  it. 

We  have  asserted  that  the  Colonization  Society  is  the  only- 
institution  which  promises  any  thing  great  or  effectual  for 
the  relief  of  our  black  population.  We  have  examined  the 
condition  of  that  population,  and  have  pointed  out  the  cha- 
racteristics of  the  effort  which  shall  accomplish  any  thing 
for  their  improvement.  To  establish  our  assertion,  it  re- 
mains for  us  to  show  that  the  direct  object  of  this  Society  is 
attainable  ;  and  that  the  two  characteristics  above  mentioned, 
belong  to  this  scheme,  and  to  this  alone. 

What  other  scheme,  then,  for  the  improvement  ot  the 
blacks,  is  there  before  the  public  ?  What  other  efforts  are 
we  exhorted  to  make  ?  What  other  projects  do  we  hear  of  I 
There  are  a  few  Sunday  schools  established  for  their  benefit 
in  our  large  towns  ;  and  in  some  of  our  cities,  the  Africans 
have  churches  of  their  own,  and  tolerably  well  qualified 
ministers  of  their  own.  And  more,  to  educate  young  men  oF 
colour  for  the  work  of  the  ministry  among  their  brethren, 
there  is,  or  there  was,  somewhere  in  the  State  of  New- 
Jersey,  an  African  seminary,  with  whose  managers,  funds, 
resources,  students,  instructers,  and  even  local  situation, 
the  public  at  large  have  been,  for  three  years  past,  about  as 
well  acquainted,  as  they  are  with  the  course  of  the  Niger, 
or  the  police  of  Tombuctoo.  But  efforts  of  this  kind,  taken 
by  themselves,  hardly  amount  to  any  thing  ;  they  do  not  in 
the  least  affect  the  essence  of  the  evil  ;  and  not  only  s-o,  but 
by  a  great  part  of  the  slave  holders  they  are  considered  dan- 
gerous, and  therefore  they  can  never  become  such  as  will 
unite  the  patriotic  and  benevolent  in  all  parts  of  the  country. 
The  same  remark  will  apply  with  at  least  equal  force  to  the 
projects  of  '  the  American  Convention  for  promoting  the 
Abolition  of  Slavery,  and  improving  the  condition  of  the 
African  race,"  as  set  forth  in  an  "Address  to  the  People  ol 
the  United  States,"  which  now  lio«  before  us,  and  which  con 


96 


tains  some  calculations  and  suggestions  that  ought  to  be  familiar 
to  every  mind. 

If  then,  there  is  any  hope  of  extensive  good  for  these  two 
millions  of  beings,  it  must  be  found  in  the  plans  proposed  by 
the  American  Colonization  Society.  But  before  proceeding 
to  examine  how  far  this  plan  possesses  the  characteristics 
necessary  to  success,  it  is  important  to  notice  the  objection, 
sometimes  urged,  that  the  establishment  of  a  colony  in  Africa 
is  impossible. 

If  a  colony  of  free  blacks  cannot  be  established  on  the 
coast  of  Africa,  it  must  be,  either,  1st,  because  free  blacks 
cannot  be  induced  to  go,  which  is  false,  for  they  have  gone, 
and  hundreds  are  waiting  to  go, — or,  2ndly,  because  when 
they  arrive  there,  they  cannot  be  defended  from  the  natives, 
which  is  disproved  by  the  late  contest, — or,  3rdly,  because 
the  soil  will  not  yield  them  support,  which  needs  no  answer 
to  any  man  who  will  look  into  a  book  of  travels, — or,  4thly, 
because  they  must  be  cut  off  by  the  insalubrity  of  the  cli- 
mate, which  is  contradicted  by  the  experience  of  the  settlers, 
and  by  the  testimony  of  travellers.  It  is  contradicted  by 
the  experience  of  the  settlers  ;  for  since  they  have  occupied 
their  present  station,  they  have  been  visited  with  no  sweeping 

(pestilence,  excepting  only  the  recent  mortality  among  those 
sent  out  in  the  Oswego  ;  the  number  of  deaths  among  them 
lias  been  no  greater  than  the  average  mortality  of  the  same 
class  of  people  in  America.  It  is  contradicted  by  the  testi- 
mony of  travellers.  If  we  had  room  for  extracts,  they  might 
easily  be  collected  from  a  variety  of  authors.  The  opinion 
of  Lieutenant  Stockton  must  suffice  : — 

ki  We  have  had  an  interesting  cruize  on  the  coast,  from  the 
shoals  of  the  Great  River  to  Cape  Palmas  :  It  was  during  the 
most  unhealthy  season,  and  under  circumstances  not  the  most 
flattering.  Being  in  a  small  vessel,  we  were  often  exposed  to 
heavy  rains,  and  occasionally  encountered  great  fatigue. — 
Notwithstanding  which,  we  have  returned  in  good  health,  only 
regretting  tltat  our  cruize  was  so  short,  and  that  we  accom- 
plished so  little  of  that  which  we  promised  ourselves.  We 
had  the  fever  on  board,  but  in  every  instance  it  yielded  to 
the  skill  of  our  surgeons."  "  Under  all  these  circumstances, 
I  am  bound  to  believe,  (my  conclusions,  however,  are  deduc- 
ed from  impressions,  rather  than  from  unalterable  opinions,) 
that  the  horror  for  that  coast,  the  hue  and  cry  about  the  Af- 
rican fever,  and  the  noise  about  the  tornadoes,  are  but  little 
less  than  a  fable,  generated  by  policy  ;  listened  to,  because 
wonderful  ;  and  propagated  by  the  interested.  As  to  the 
climate,  it  is  true  the  air  is  warm,  and  I  think  a  constant  ex- 
posure to  the  sun,  must  be  very  debilitating.    The  thcrmo- 


97 

metrical  observations  of  this  vessel,  do  not  show  that  the 
temperature  of  the  air  has  ever  been  above  eighty -five  de- 
grees, measured  by  Fahrenheit's  thermometer  ;  but  as  the 
country  i9  seldom  refreshed  by  a  cool  invigorating  breeze,  the 
heat  is  more  uniform,  and  of  longer  duration,  and  from  that 
cause,  1  think,  arises  its  pestilence,  and  not  from  the  imme- 
diate power  of  the  sun.*    The  heat  is  not  bejrond  bearing 
for  a  while,  but  from  its  constancy  must  overcome  any  human 
constitution  that  is  unwarily  exposed  to  it  during  any  length 
of  time,  without  relief.     The  fever  1  think  may  be  more 
readily  avoided,  and  if  taken,  is  not  so  dangerous,  and  may 
be  more  easily  destroyed,  than  that  which  injects  many  pla- 
ces in  our  own  country.    The  tornadoes,  as  I  saw  and  felt 
them,  are  inconsiderable  and  harmless,  in  comparison  with 
squalls  met  with  on  parts  of  the  American  coast,  at  parti- 
cular seasons  of  the  year.    We  may  have  been  particularly 
iavoured,  and  it  is  possible  that  all  the  dangers  which  per- 
sons are  led  to  apprehend,  do  ordinarily  possess  that  country 
But  1  can  assure  you,  the  fever  has  not  assumed  a  living 
ebape;  the  winds  are  not  saturated  with  pestilence;  even 
on  the  coast  of  Africa,  oxygen  forms  a  compouent  part  of  the 
ajmospheric  air,  and  to  inhale  it  is  not  certain  death.  We, 
(for  I  think  I  am  speaking  the  sentiments  of  my  companions,) 
respired  as  freely,  and  enjoyed  generally  as  good  health,  as 
any  country  could  have  supplied  us  with.    After  examination 
and  reflection,  I  honestly  believe  that  the  climate  presents 
all  those  obstacles  which  are  the  natural  productions  of  a 
tropical  soil,  uncleared  and  uncultivated,  but  that  they  will 
yield  to  proper  precautions  ;  and  that  nothing  can  prevent 
the  consummation  of  your  wishes,  but  limited  means,  bad 
counsels,  or  feeble  efforts." 

It  is  not  pretended  that  the  climate  of  Africa  is  as  healthy 
to  a  native  of  Connecticut,  as  the  country  in  which  he  was 
born.    We  say  it  may  be  compared  in  this  respect,  with 
other  tropical  countries.    Is  Montserado  more  unhealthy  than 
New-Orleans  or  Havana  ?    Yet  these  places  have  been  co 
Ionized — and  colonized  with  men,  whose  descendants  it  is 
proposed  to  carry  back  to  the  climate,  to  which,  the  constitu-  , 
tion  which  they  have  inherited  from  their  fathers,  is  adapted. 
Is  it  impossible  to  colonize  Africa?    And  did  the  God  of  na- 
Hire  design  that  that  continent,  with  all  the  luxuriance  of  its  I 
soil,  and  all  the  variety  of  its  productions,  should  forever-' 
remain  a  wilderness  ?  The  happy  inhabitants  of  Sierra  Leone  / 
may  give  the  answer.  / 

*  Cape  Montserado,  it  will  be  remembered,  is  "steep  and  elevated 
towards  the  sea,"  whkh  <(  afford*  it 'he  advantage  of  the  sea-breeze /" 
N 


98 


With  these  facts  before  cs  then,  we  feel  no  hesitation  ha 
saying  thyt  this  enterprise  is  practicable ;  and  we  say  too 
that  it  possesses  the  two  characteristics  already  describ- 
ed, as  essential  to  any  permanent  and  effectual  effort  in  behalf 
of  the  blacks.  It  is  an  enterprise  in  which  all  parts  of  the 
country  can  unite.  The  grand  objection  to  every  other  effort 
is,  that  it  excites  the  jealousies  and  fears  of  the  south.  But 
here  is  an  effort  in  which  the  southern  people  are  the  first  to 
engage,  and  which  numbers  many  of  their  most  distinguished 
men  are  nmong  its  advocates  and  efficient  supporters.  But  it  pro- 
motes the  interests  of  the  south.  True;  and  must  not  every 
plan  of  the  kind,  which  promises  to  do  any  good,  favour  the 
interests  of  that  part  of  the  country  where  the  evil  to  be 
remedied  presses,  with  the  most  alarming  weight  ?  And  does 
not  this  plan  promote  the  interests  of  the  north  too?  Are 
there  not  thousands  of  blacks  in  New-England  ?  And  do- 
they  add  any  thing  to  the  good  order  and  happiness  of  socie- 
ty ?  Or  rather,  are  they  not,  and  must  they  not  continue  to 
be,  as  a  body,  ignorant  and  vicious,  adding  more  to  the  poor 
rates  of  the  parishes  in  which  they  reside,  than  they  do  to  the 
income  of  the  government?  And  shall  a  cause,  to  which  the 
good  people  of  the  south  offer  not  only  money,  but  in  not  a 
few  instances,  the  freedom  of  their  slaves,  languish  because 
the  people  of  the  north  refuse  to  come  forward  with  their 
good  wishes,  and  their  prayers,  and  their  most  liberal  contri- 
butions. It  will  not.  We  dare  to  predict  that  the  time  is 
not  far  distant,  when  the  north  and  the  south  shall  unite  in 
this  work  of  charity,  and  when  every  new  report  of  the 
prosperity  of  our  colony,  will  awaken  the  same  joy  in  every 
benevolent  heart  from  Portland  to  Savannah. 

This  leads  us  to  remark  on  the  second  characteristic^ 
namely,  that  it  is  a  great  enterprise.  There  is  a  grandeur 
in  the  conception  of  it  like  the  grandeur  of  the  Bible  Socie- 
ty ;  and  if  properly  supported,  every  step  of  its  progress  must 
be  attended  by  the  sympathies  and  prayers  of  all  who  feel  or 
pray  for  the  missionary.  Said  Samuel  J.  Mills  to  his  compan- 
ion, "  Can  we  engage  in  a  nobler  effort  ?  We  go  to  make 
freemen  of  slaves.  We  go  to  lay  the  foundation  of  a  free  and 
independent  empire  on  the  coast  of  poor  degraded  Africa.  It 
is  confidently  believed  by  many  of  our  best  and  wisest  men, 
that  if  the  plan  proposed  succeeds,  it  will  ultimately  be  the 
means  of  exterminating  slavery  in  our  country.  It  will  even- 
tually redeem  and  emancipate  a  million  and  a  half  of  wretched 
men.  It  will  transfer  to  Africa  the  blessings  of  religion  and 
civilization  ;  and  Ethiopia  will  soon  stretch  out  her  hands  unto 
God." 

Such  is  the  object.    To  comprehend  in  any  degree  it? 


99 


*  magnitude,  we  must  look  at  it  in  its  relation  to  the  blacks  of 
our  own  country,  in  its  relation  to  the  slave  trade,  and  in  its 
relation  to  the  civilization  of  Africa.  We  might  add  the  con- 
nexion it  must  have  with  American  commerce,  not  only  by 
affording  a  station  at  which  our  Indiamen  might  take  in  water 
and  provision,  in  some  important  respects  more  conVenieutly 
than  at  the  Cape  Verde  Islands  ;  but  also  by  opening  to  our 
merchants,  at  no  distant  period,  a  lucrative  trade  in  all  the 
productions  of  the  climate.  But  we  can  only  take  the  rapid 
glance  at  this  topic,  which  is  presented  in  the  following  ex- 
tract from  the  third  report. 

"Has  not  the  single  port  of  Sierra  Leone  exported,  in  one 
year,  since  the  abolition  of  the  slave  trade  by  England,  a 
greater  value  lhan  all  western  Africa,  a  coast  of  several  thou- 
sand miles,  yielded,  exclusive  of  its  people,  for  a  like  period 
anterior  to  that  event  ?  When  this  abominable  traffick  shall 
have  been  utterly  exterminated  ;  when  the  African  labourer 
can  toil  secure  from  the  treachery  of  his  neighbour,  and  the 
violence  of  the  man-stealer  ;  that  continent  will  freight,  for 
legitimate  trade,  those  ships  which  now  carry  thither  chains, 
fetters,  and  scourges,  to  return  home  with  the  bones,  the 
sinews,  the  blood,  and  the  tears  of  her  children.  Her  gold, 
her  ivory,  her  beautiful  dyes,  her  fragrant,  and  precious 
gums,  her  healing  plants  and  drugs,  the  varied  produce  of  her 
now  forsaken  fields  and  lonely  forests,  will  be  brought  by  a 
joyous  and  grateful  people,  to  the  nations  who,  once  their 
plunderers  and  persecutors,  will  have  at  length  become  their 
protectors,  friends,  and  allies. " 

Let  us  look  more  particularly  at  the  Colonization  Society, 
first,  in  relation  to  the  blacks  of  our  own  country.  Leaving 
slavery  and  its  subjects  for.  the  moment  entirely  out  of  view, 
there  are  in  the  United  States  238,000  blacks  denominated 
free,  but  whose  freedom  confers  on  them,  we  might  say,  no 
privilege  but  the  privilege  of  being  more  vicious  and  misera- 
ble than  slaves  can  be.  Their  condition  we  have  attempted 
to  describe,  and  the  description  may  be  repeated  in  two  words, 
irremediable  degradation.  Now,  is  there  not  to  the  benevolent 
mind  something  noble  in  the  thought  of  ameliorating  the  con- 
dition and  elevating  the  character  of  these  238.000  ?  The 
Colonization  Society  will  do  this.  It  will  open  for  these  men 
an  asylum,  whither  they  can  flee  from  the  scoffs  and  the  scorn 
to  which  they  are  exposed.  It  will  restore  them  to  a  real 
freedom  in  the  land  of  their  fathers.  It  will  give  them  all  the 
privileges  of  humanity  in  the  land  for  which  their  Creator 
designed  them.  And  should  it  be  unable  to  confer  on  all, 
the  benefits  it  proposes,  still  it  would  do  not  a  little  for 
'.heir  improvement.     By  elevating  the  character  of  those 


too 


who  were  transported  to  Africa,  il.  would  elevate  in  some 
decree  the  character  of  those  who  remained.  It  would 
Set  before  them  the  strongest  motives  to  industry,  and 
honesty,  and  the  acquisition  of  an  honourable  refutation. 
And  here  would  be  room  for  the  other  branches  of  benevo- 
lent exertion  ; — here  would  be  opportunity  for  Sabbath 
schools  and  all  the  apparatus  of  religious  instruction,  And 
is  this  a  work  to  be  overlooked  or  despised  ? 

But  wc  have  a  million  and  a  hall'  of  slaves.    The  black 
cloud  almost  covers  our  southern  hemisphere.    It  is  spread 
ing — and  extending — and  every  hour  its  darkness  is  increasing. 
Now  to  dissipate  this  cloud  ;  to  let  in  light,  the  pure  unmin- 
gled  light  of  freedom,  on  our  whole  land — the  prospect  is  too 
wide  for  our  vision,  the  object  too  vast  for  our  comprehension. 
Let  us  look  then  with  a  nearer  view  at  a  less  magnificent  ob- 
ject.   There  are  men  in  the  southern  states,  who  long  to  do 
something  effectual  for  the  benefit  of  their  slaves,  and  would 
gladlj  emancipate  them,  did  not  prudence  and  compassion 
alike  forbid  such  a  measure,  of  which  it  is  difficult  to  say 
whether  it  would  injure  most  the  comfort  and  happiness  of 
the  slaves,  or  the  welfare  of  the  community.    i>ow  to  pro- 
vide a  way  for  these  meu  to  obey  the  promptings  of  humanity, 
while  they  at  the  same  .time  confer  an  equal  blessing  on  the 
slaves  and  on  the  community — is  not  this  a  great  design  .; 
And  if,  inspired  by  their  example,  auotherand  another  master 
should  emancipate  his  slaves  ;  and  if  in  this  way  the  subject 
should  come  to  be  discussed  with  new  views  and  feelings  ; 
and  if  emancipation,  no  longer  useless  and  dangerous,  should 
be  no  longer  unpopular  ;  and  if  the  voice  of  public  opinion  at 
the  south  should  thus,  by  degrees,  declare  itself  louder  and 
louder  against  the  practice  of  slavery  ;  till  at  last  the  system 
should  be  utterly  abolished;  till  not    a  slave"  should  "  conta- 
minate" our  soil  ;  till  Africa,  abused  degraded  Africa  should 
stretch  out  her  hands  and  pray  for  America  ; — if  this  should 
be  so,  what  a  triumph  would  be  achieved — what  a  glory  would 
be  shed  on  our  country  in  the  view  of  admiring  nations.  No 
wonder,  then,  that  faith  should  be  staggered,  and  benevolence 
overwhelmed  at  the  prospect  of  a  consummation  so  magniticent. 

But  the  supposition  of  entire  success  in  this  plan,  though  it 
cannot  be  looked  at  without  scepticism,  is  not  absurd.  The 
Society  have  from  the  first  anticipated  the  co-operation  of  the 
national  and  state  governments.  The  states  of  Virginia,  Ma- 
ryland, and  Tennessee,  have  expressed  their  approbation  of 
the  design,  and  have  requested  the  national  government  to 
engage  in  it.  The  first  of  these  states,  it  is  believed,  stands 
ready,  as  soon  as  Congress  shall  begin  the  work,  to  lend  the 
most  efficient  aid  in  colonizing  her  own  coloured  population. 


101 


Indeed  we  may  say,  that  in  all  the  northern  part  of  that  se< 
tioti  of  the  country,  the  necessity  of  a  grand  and  general  effort  | 
is  beginning  to  be  felt,  certainly  by  all  intelligent  reflecting  I 
men.    If,  then,  the  government  of  the  United  States  should 
begin  the  work,  and  if  the  governments  of  the  slave-holding 
states  should,  one  after  another,  follow  on,  who  shall  set 
bounds  to  what  might  he  accomplished.     By  the  calculations 
in  the  second  report,  which  are  certainly  moderate,  it  appears 
that  250,000  dollars  would  transport  the  annual  increase  of 
the  free  blacks  :  and  2,000,u00.  or  a  capitation  tax  of  less  than  :: 
twenty-five  cents  on  all  the  citizens  of  the  United  States,  I 
would  transport  the  whole  annual  increase  of  bond  and  free  ft 
"  The  amount  of  duties  collected  on  foreign  distilled  spirits,  1 
during  each  of  the  first  six  years  of  Mr.  Jefferson's  adminis-  1 
tration,  would  defray  the  sum  total  of  this  expense,  and  fur  1 
nish  half  a  million  of  dollars  annually,  toextinguish  the  prin-  JL 
cipal,  the  capital  stock,  of  the  heaviest  calamity  that  oppresses/ 
this  nation."    "  And  were  the  same  duties  charged  in  the  % 
United  Slates,  as  in  Great  Britain,  on  the  consumption  of  tbis^  I 
fatal  poison  of  human  happiness,  their  net  poceeds  would,  / 
in  less  than  a  century,  purcha-e  ar.d  colonize  in  Africa,  every  / 
person  of  colour  within  the  United  States.'*    2  Report,  p.  :J  i.  ' 

Thus  these  two  evils — the  greatest  that  our  country  has 
ever  known — might  be  made  to  counteract  and  destroy  each 
other. 

But,  whether  such  expectations  are  chimerical  or  not,  | 
there  is  an  immense  object  to  be  gained  by  the  efforts  of  the  I 
Colonization  Society  in  the  entire  suppression  of  the  slave  * 
trade.  This  horrible  traffic,  notwithstanding  its  abolition  by 
every  civilized  nation  in  the  world,  except  Portugal  and  Bra- 
zil, and  notwithstanding  the  decided  measures  of  the  British 
and  American  governments,  is  still  carried  on  to  almost  as 
great  an  extent  as  ever.  Not  less  than  G0,000  slaves,  ac- 
cording to  the  most  moderate  computation,  are  carried  from 
Africa  annually  This  trade  is  carried  on  by  Americans  to 
the  American  states.  The  assertion  has  been  uade  in  Con- 
gress by  Mr.  Mercer,  of  Virginia,  that  these  horrible  cargoes 
are  smuggled  into  our  southern  states  to  a  deplorable  extent. 
Five  years  ago,  Mr.  Middleton,  of  South  Carolina,  declared  it 
to  be  his  belief  "  that  13,000  Africans  were  annually  smug- 
gled into  our  southern  states."  Mr.  Wright,  of  Virginia,  es- 
timated the  number  at  15,000.  And  the  cruelties  of  this  trade 
which  always  surpassed  the  powers  of  the  human  mind  to 
conceive,  are  greater  now  than  they  ever  were  before.  We 
might,  but  we  will  not,  refer  to  stories,  recent  stories,  of 
which  the  very  recital  would  be  torment.  The  only  way  in 
which  this  trade  can  be  speedily  and  effectually  suppressed. 


102 


•s  the  establishment  of  colonial  stations  in  Africa,  which  wili 
-  guard  and  dry  up  the  fountains  of  the  evil.  There  is  no  slave 
trade  in  the  vicinity  of  Sierra  Leone.  Soon  there  will  be  none 
in  the  vicinity  of  Montserado.  And  when  colonic?  shall  be 
established  at  proper  intervals  along  the  coast,  the  slave- 
trade  will  exist  only  in  the  memory  of  indignant  humanm 
And  is  not  this  an  object  tor  benevolence  to  aim  at  ? 

But  this  is  not_  all.     The  colony  is  to  be  a  means  of  civiliz- 
ing and  christianizing   Africa.     Hitherto  the  extension  pf 
civilization,  and,  since  Christianity  was  established  in  the  Ro- 
man Empire,  the  extension  of  Christianity  has  been  almost 
exclusively  by  colonies.    Whence  came  the  civilization  of 
Greece?    It  was  brought  by  colonies  from  Egypt.    How  wag 
italy  civilized  ?    By  colonies  from  Greece.    How  was  En  " 
rope  civilized  ?    By  the  Roman  military  colonies.  Whence 
came  the  civilization  of  America?    And  is  not  that  universal 
spirit  of  improvement  which  is  springing  up  in  Hindoostan  oc- 
casioned, more  or  less  directly,  by  the  British  conquests 
there,  which  have  poured  in  thousands  of  Englishmen,  who 
are  in  effect  colonizing  India  ?    Two  centuries  hence  the  lit- 
tle band,  who  are  now  cultivating  their  fields  and  building 
their  houses  at  Montserado,  and  spreading  over  the  wilder- 
ness around  them  a  strange  aspect  of  life  and  beauty,  may  be 
remembered  by  the  thousands  of  their  descendants,  with  the 
same  emotions  with  which  the  little  band  who  landed  at  Ply- 
mouth two  centuries  ago,  are  now  remembered  by  the  thou- 
sands of  New  England.    We  do  not  fear  to  say,  that  to  the 
friends  of  missions,  the  Colonization  Society  presents  a  loud 
and  imperative  claim.    The  advantage  of  the  Moravian  mis- 
sions and  of  the  modern  missionary  establishments  in  savage 
countries,  is  that  they  are  in  substance,  little  colonies.    If  you 
could  carry  from  this  country  to  the  Sarfdwich  Islands,  a  thou- 
sand civilized  and  educated  natives,  would  you  not  think  you 
had  done  much  for  Owhyhee  ?    This  is  what  can  be  done, 
and  must  be  done,  for  Africa. 

And  will  there  not  be  an  interest  in  the  progress  of  the 
work  ?  Will  it  not  be  delightful  to  watch  the  advances  of  the 
morning  ;  to  see  the  light  breaking  in  on  one  dark  habitation 
of  cruelty,  and  another  ;  to  see  the  shadows  of  heathenism 
Seeing  away,  and  the  delusions  which  have  so  long  terrified 
the  ignorant  pagans,  vanishing ;  to  see  one  tribe  after  anoth- 
er coming  to  the  light  of  Zion,  and  to  the  brightness  of  her 
rising  ;  to  see  Ethiopia  waking,  and  rising  from  the  dust,  and 
iooking  abroad  on  the  day,  and  stretching  out  her  hands  to 
God,  and  the  day  light  still  spreading  and  kindling  and  bright- 
ening, till  all  the  fifty  millions  of  Africa  are  brought  into  the 
'glorious  light  and  liberty  of  the  sons  of  God!"    Is  there 


103 


mOl  enough  in  this  to  arrest  the  attention  of  the  public,  and  to 
keep  it  fixed  on  this  object  with  an  untiring  interest,  till  all 
shall  be  accomplished  ? 

The  Niger's  sullen  waves 
Have  heard  the  tidings, — and  the  orient  sun 
beholds  them  rolling  on  to  meet  his  light 
In  joyful  beauty  — Tombut's  spiry  towers 
Ate  bright  without  the  brightness  of  the  day, 
And  Iloussa  wakening  from  his  age-long  trance 
Of  woe,  amid  the  desert,  smiles  to  hear 
The  last  faint  echo  of  the  blissful  sound. 
A  few  words  more,  and  we  have  done.     We  had  intended 
to  notice  one  or  two  thing*  in  the  management  of  this  Soci- 
ety, which  might  be  amended.  One  is,  they  have  not  kept  up  a 
constant  communication  with  the  public.  The  monthly  reports 
of  their  treasury  have  not  been  published  ;  and  we  have  known 
very  little  of  their  proceedings  but  from  their  annual  reports. 
Another  deficiency  appears  to  be — perhaps  we  judge  incor- 
rectly— a  want  of  that  energy  and  business-like  regularity  of 
operation  which  so  characterize  some  of  our  northern  benevo- 
lent institutions.    Generally  their  colonists  have  arrived  at 
the  most  unhealthy  seasons  of  the  year.    We  the  more  wil- 
lingly curtail  our  notice  of  these  defects,  because  we  think  we 
can  see  an  evident  improvement.    They  have  issued  propo- 
sals for  publishing  a  periodical  work,  which  we  hope  will  be 
well  supported  by  the  public.    And  they  have  resolved, 
and  they  have  called  on  the  public  to  assist  in  executing 
the  resolution,  that  if  possible  they  will  send  three  vessels 
with  emigrants  to  Liberia  this  fall.    We  do  earnestly  hope 
that  this  call  will  he  answered,  and  that  the  Board  will  be  en  - 
abled to  carry  this  design  into  execution,  and  by  sending  their 
settlers  to  Africa  at  the  healthiest,  instead  of  fhe  most  un- 
healthy seasons  of  the  year,  to  ascertain  whether  the  climate 
is  actually  so  deadly  as  benevolent  slave-traders  and  the  ether 
enemies  of  the  scheme  are  fond  of  representing.    The  late 
unfortunate  intelligence  from  Montserado,  discouraging  as  it 
may  be  to  the  timid  and  heartless,  ought  to  invigorate  the 
friends  of  Africa.    It  has  proved,  what  every  body  knew  be- 
fore, and  what  no  man  in  his  senses  ever  presumed  to  deny 
that  the  climate  of  that  coast,  like  other  tropical  climates,  is 
dangerous  to  foreigners  arriving  at  a  certain  season  of  the  year. 
It  has  proved  too  that,  whatever  may  be  thought  of  one  of  the 
agents  of  the  colony,  the  other  is  a  man  of  sense  and  integrity 
— 'a  man  of  business,  and  one  who  knows  how  to  command.' 

The  public  have  expected  from  this  plan,  we  will  not  say 
too  great,  but  too  immediate  results.  For  ourselves  we  ex- 
pect to  see  repeated  untoward  events. — We  do  not  antici- 
pate any  thing  magnificent  for  twenty  or  fifty  years  to  come. 
But  christian  benevolenre  is  gifted  to  look  into  futurity. 


104  * 

l  iaally,  it  any  thing  is  done,  it  ought  to  be  done  tjuiekly. — 
If  there  are  christians  among  us  who  intend  to  favour  this  ob- 
ject, let  them  do  it  without  delay.  We  would  venture  to  sug- 
gest to  ministers  of  all  denominations  the  propriety  of  laying 
before  their  people,  sometime  in  the  course  of  this  month, 
the  claims  of  an  object  so  important  to  our  country  and  to  the 
human  race,  and  soliciting  their  contributions.  Let  it  be 
known  on  earth,  let  it  be  known  in  heaven,  that  America  is 
awake  on  this  subject — that  her  sons  of  every  nanrie  and  of 
every  opinion  are  doing  something  for  the  emancipation  and 
salvation  of  injured  Africa. 


F. 

(Ixtractfrom  the  first  Annual  Report  of  the  New-York  Auxili- 
ary Colonization  Society ,  1823. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  dwell,  in  detail,  upon  the  intermediate 
history  of  the  Colom/i  The  annual  Reports  of  the  parent  In- 
stitution contain  the  amplest  information  on  this  subject,  and 
are  tilled  with  a  recital  of  the  most  important  incidents  in  rela- 
tion to  its  origin  and  progress.  To  the  lover  ol  bold  adven- 
ture, as  well  as  to  the  philanthropist  and  the  Christian,  we 
recommend  the  perusal  of  these  interesting  documents.  It  is 
sufficient  for  our  present  pupose  to  state,  that,  notwithstand- 
ing the  dangers  and  the  difficulties  necessarily  attending  the 
planting  of  an  infant  settlement  on  a  remote  and  barbarous 
shore,  the  colony  still  exists  and  flourishes.  According  to  the 
latest  accounts,  the  number  of  settlers  is  about  two  hundred, 
under  the  superintendence  of  two  agents,  of  acknowledged 
character  and  abilities.  The  misunderstanding,  which  at  first 
existed  between  them  and  the  natives,  has  been  satisfactorily 
adjusted,  and  every  thing  seems  propitious  to  the  growth  and 
perpetuity  of  the  establishment. 

Such  is  a  brief  sketch  of  what  has  been  accomplished  un- 
der the  auspices  of  the  parent  Society.  To  aid  in  the  ex- 
ecution of  a  plan,  so  magnificent  in  its  design,  and  so  benevo- 
lent in  its  object,  this  auxiliary  was  formed.  It  has  already- 
existed  for  six  years,  and  though  less  has  been  done  by  it  than 
was  either  wished  or  expected  by  the  friends  of  colonization, 
yet  the  Managers  feel  confident  that  its  formation  and  con- 
tinued existence  have  not  been  without  their  use.  Although 
it  has  thus  far  contributed  but  little  to  the  pecuniary  resources 
of  the  Society,  the  Managers  flatter  themselves  that  it  may 
have  been  the  means  of  keeping  alive,  in  this  section  of  our 
country,  a  sympathy  for  the  general  object,  which,  it  is  hoped, 
will  ere  long  pervade  every  portion  of  the  community.  Not 


105 


withstanding  the  open  hostility  of  some,  the  skepticism  of 
others,  and  the  cold  indifference  of  a  still  greater  number, 
the  Managers  are  proud  to  record  their  firm  and  unalterable 
conviction  in  favour  of  the  great  cause  in  which  they  are  en- 
listed. The)'  believe  it  to  be  a  project,  not  merely  practica- 
ble, but  pregnant  with  the  greatest  blessings  to  humanity. 
To  this  country  it  offers  the  only  possible  means  of  gradually 
ridding  ourselves  of  a  mighty  evil,  and  of  obliterating  the 
fouiest  stain  upon  our  nation's  honour.  To  those  who  emi- 
grate, it  offers  an  asylum  in  the  land  of  their  fathers,  where 
they  may  stand  forth  in  the  character  of  men,  and  enjoy  the 
rights  and  privileges  of  freemen.  To  Africa,  it  offers  the 
suppression  of  the  slave  trade,  while  it  presents  in  bold  per- 
spective the  brightest  prospects  of  future  civilization  and  re- 
finement. If  this  unfortunate  portion  of  our  globe  is  ever  to 
be  regenerated  in  its  intellectual  and  moral  character,  there 
is  no  question  that  it  will  have  to  be  the  result  of  efforts  for- 
eign to  itself.  All  history  proves  that  no  people  were  ever 
redeemed  from  ignorance  and  barbarism,  except  through  the 
agency  of  a  nation  already  civilized. 

If  such  be  the  fact,  how  immensely  does  the  establishment 
of  this  Colony  swell  in  interest,  w  hen  viewed  in  its  relations 
to  Africa  !  It  is  no  extravagant  supposition,  that,  if  success 
attends  the  present  enterprise,  colonies  will  ere  long  be  found 
established  in  abundance  along  the  coast  of  Africa,  and  that 
through  them,  civilization,  science,  and  Christianity,  will  pour 
their  blessings  over  a  suffering  and  degraded  continent.  It  is 
impossible  to  believe,  for  one  moment,  that  apian  which  pro- 
mises such  splendid  results  will  be.  suffered  to  languish  by  the 
American  public.  The  countenance  and  patronage  already 
extended  to  the  infant  settlement  by  the  government  of  the 
United  States,  shows  that  the  object  is  arid  ought  to  be  a  na-> 
tionalone.  The  Managers  entertain  the  hope,  that  ere  long 
this  must  become  a  general  sentiment  throughout  our  countr\', 
and  that  every  heart  must  be  awakened  to  the  claims  of  this 
institution. 


The  foil oiving  calculations  are  from  the  New  York  Statesman. 

Emigrants  usually  consist  of  young  people.  Let  the  Soci- 
ety aid  none  but  such,  and  equal  numbers  of  males  and 
females;  females  between  the  age  of  18  and  28  years, 
males  between  20  and  30  years.  As  the  children  of  such 
parents  would  all  be  young,  most  of  them  under  three  years, 
and  as  when  under  that  age  their  removal  would  cost  but  lit- 
tle with  their  parents,  such  children  need  not  be  estimated. 
Let  the  society  aid  G000  annually  of  this  class,  between  1& 


106 


and  30  years  of  age,  and  the  population  at  the  end  of  ten 
years  will  be,  making  all  allowances,  at  least  100,000  less 
than  it  would  have  been,  had  none  been  removed.  This  will 
appear,  if  we  consider  how  large  a  portion  of  the  increase 
will  spring  from  this  class.  Allowing  for  deaths,  it  would  be  a 
low  estimate  to  say  their  numbers  would  double  in  the  time.* 
But  estimating  their  increase  only  at  two-thirds  their  number, 
and  it  will  amount  to  100,000  in  ten  years.  By  the  last  cen- 
sus, the  number  of  free  people  of  colour  was  233,398,  and 
fhe  increase  from  1810,  is  a  little  less  than  47,000.  At  the 
same  rate  of  increase,  the  number  in  1830,  will  be  some  less 
than  293,000,  if  none  are  removed.  Call  it  293,000,  and 
suppose  the  6000  a  year  to  be  removed,  and  deduct  the  num- 
ber with  their  estimated  increase,  estimated  at  100,000,  and 
it  leaves  1 93,000.  At  the  same  rate  of  increase,  and  the  same 
deduction  the  next  ten  years,  the  number  will  be  142,000  in 
1840:  80,000  in  1850,  being  less  than  the  number  which 
would  be  removed  the  next  ten  years  ;  the  removing  6000  a 
year  amounting  to  the  same  as  the  removal  of  100,000  once 
in  ten  years.  All,  therefore,  but  the  aged,  would  be  remov- 
ed in  less  than  forty  years.  But  the  rate  of  increase  of  those 
who  remain  after  the  first  ten  years,  considering  the  class 
that  is  removed,  would  be  less  by  considerable  the  next  ten  ; 
so  that  although  fouryears  are  nearly  gone  since  the  first  cen- 
sus, if  the  work  were  commenced  this  year,  they  would  all 
be  removed  within  forty  years. 

The  expense,  if  it  were  all  met  by  the  society^  and  they 
were  removed  to  Africa,  would  not  exceed  $360,000  annually, 
and  would  probably  be  less.  But  as  many  might  be  removed 
to  Hayti,  as  one-fifth  would  defray  their  own  expense,  the 
"expense  would  be  greatly  reduced.  I  have  put  the  rate  of 
expense  the  same  as  Paul  Ouffee  estimated  it,  who  carried 
out  the  first  colonists  that  left  our  country  for  Africa.  Of  3<J 
whom  he  carried  out,  8  bore  their  own  expenses,  which  is 
more  than  one-fifth,  and  he  wrote  Mr.  Mills  that  they  could 
be  carried  out  for  §60  each. 

Vessels  of  300  tons  burthen  might  be  fitted  up  so  as  to 
transport  comfortably  250,  and  would  make  with  ease  two 
\  oyages  in  a  year.  But  we  will  suppose  they  make  two  trips 
the  year,  and  transport  only  200  at  a  time,  it  would  require 
but  15  vessels  to  be  employed.  The  yearly  expense  of 
these  vessels  for  charter  and  stores  for  the  200  passengers, 
allowing  the  passage  out  to  be  six  weeks,  will  be  $  192,000, 

^Suppose  these  G000  to  be  parents,  and  that  1500  children  are  born 
annually,  and  that  parents  and  children  die  anuuaily  at  the  rate  of  one 
■  out  of  forty  ,  and  there  will  be  remaining,  at  the  end  of  ten  years,  of 
the  60,000  parents  and  their  children,  upwards  of  121, 00o.  It  is  theiefoi«- 
too  low  to  call  it  100,000,  making  all  allowances. 


107 


leaving  $168,000  to  meet  other  expenses.  Vessels  of  3dO 
tons  can  be  chartered  in  this  port,  to  make  a  voyage  to  Africa 
and  back,  all  the  expenses  of  the  crew  and  their  supplies  in- 
cluded, for  $3500  to  $4500.  Say  the  cost  of  vessel  is 
$4000,  the  supplies  necessary  for  200  passengers,  estimated 
at  $2  a  week  each  for  six  weeks'  voyage,  $2400;  the  cost  of 
one  voyage,  will  be  $6400;  two  voyages  $12,800;  making 
the  expense  of  transporting  the  6000  in  15  vessels  $192,000. 
But  this  expense  would  be  much  reduced  by  freight  back, 
or  by  chartering  the  vessels  only  for  the  outward  voyage,  and 
'by  engaging  with  the  same  owner  for  several  voyages.  The 
expense  would  be  much  diminished  as  the  colony  increased, 
and  trade  commenced  and  increased  between  this  and  the  col- 
ony. Coloured  people  too  could  be  employed  as  transport- 
ers, and  would  be  able  to  do  it  at  a  less  rate  than  whites, 
as  they  have  little  share  in  other  commerce.  When  the  col- 
ony had  become  established  and  inviting,  the  spirit  of  emi- 
gration among  them  would  be  aroused,  and  they  would  seek 
out  new  places  to  settle  ;  such  as  Sierra  Leone,  the  south  of 
Africa  and  the  east,  Madagascar,  Hayti,  and  Columbia  for  mu- 
lattoes.  Thousands  would  go  yearly  to  these  various  places 
— thousands  would  be  seen  seeking  employment  to  gain  the 
means  of  emigrating,  impelled  to  it  by  the  powerful  moti\c3 
of  liberty  and  property.  It  is  only  necessary  for  a  few  of 
their  own  colour,  in  whom  they  can  confide,  to  return  to 
them  from  some  colony  or  country,  with  the  report  of  having 
found  an  inviting, land  of  equality  and  comfortable  livelihood-; 
and  all  this  spirit  of  emigration  would  be  aroused,  all  this 
would  be  seen.  This  is  proved  by  the  fact,  that  when  Paul 
Cuffee  returned,  at  least  two  thousand,  in  the  vicinity  of  Bos- 
ton, were  desirous  to  have  him  carry  them  out  to  Sierra  Le- 
one ;  it  is  confirmed  also,  by  the  recent  fact,  that  100  imme- 
diately offered  their  names  to  go  to  Montserado,  after  Mr.  \\  a 
ring  returned  in  August,  at  Petersburg,  Virginia:  and  corrob- 
orated still  further  by  the  fact,  that  the  Society,  notwithstand- 
ing all  the  disasters  of  their  colony,  have  found  no  difficulty 
in  obtaining  colonists. 

How  soon  then  and  how  easy  might  a  degraded  people  be 
exalted  to  the  rights  of  men,  a  growing  empire  be  founded  in 
Africa,  Africa  receive  the  blessings  of  civilization  and  Chris- 
tianity, and  be  delivered  from  the  horrid  barbarities  of  the 
slave  trade,  and  our  own  country  from  an  unhappy  race, 
neither  bond  nor  free,  who  though  among  us  are  not  of  us, 
and  instead  of  being  a  source  of  strength  to  the  nation,  en- 
feeble and  endanger  it.  How  soon  might  all  this  be  done,  if 
the  nation  would  but  listen  to  the  voice  of  interest  and  hu- 
manity, and  commence  the  work ! 


108 


"  Let  the  same  process,"  say  the  managers  of  the  New 
York  society,  "  be  adopted  with  the  whole  black  population, 
\  ahd  remove  30,000  yearly,  and  the  whole  will  be  removed 
within  SO  years,  allowing  the  rate  of  increase  to  diminish  one 
4  percent,  every  ten  years,  which  it  certainly  would,  consider- 
ing the  class  that  is  removed.  And  the  yearly  expense,  if 
wholly  borne  by  the  society,  will  not  exceed  one  million 
eight  hundred  thousand  dollars.  But  it  would  be  dimin- 
ished about  one-fifth  by  what  the  emigrants  would  furnish 
themselves,  and  would  be  furnished  them  by  owners  of 
slaves  who  were  colonized.  That  is,  it  would  cost  the  nation 
less  than  one  and  a  half  millions  to  deliver  itself  from  an  evil 
that  forebodes  to  be  worse  to  our  nation  hereafter  than  Bri- 
tish oppression  was  before  the  revolution,  and  to  gain  a  glory 
more  triumphant  than  that  of  our  independence,  as  it  would 
be  less  selfish  in  its  character.  And  it  can  be  gained  without 
paying  the  bitterest  part  of  the  price,  in  conflict  and  blood. 
Let  then  the  "debasing  legacy  of  our  ancestors  immortalize 
their  posterity"  of  this  age  by  its  removal." 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  Rev.  Loring  D.  Dewey. 

New  York,  February  18,  1824. 
Dear  sir  :    I  last  night  returned  to  this  city,  having  been 
gone  six  weeks  longer  than  I  anticipated,  four  weeks  of  which 
I  impute  to  the  excessive  bad  weather  and  sickness,  being 
obliged  to  lie  by  nearly  a  week  by  a  severe  cold.    Wishing  to 
pass  and  re-pass  the  Hudson,  in  order  to  visit  the  principal 
towns  each  side,  I  was  several  times  detained  by  its  impassa- 
ble state.    Yen,  rainy  and  muddy  weather  Dipt  only  prevented 
t     meetings,'  but  retarded  my  progress  from  place  to  place  very 
I    much.     It  has  in  several  respects  been  a  bad  season  for  my  bu- 
siness.   I  was  a  fortnight  longer  in  getting  up  the  Society  in 
Albany,  in  consequence  of  bad  weather  preventing  meetings, 
•   and  the  Greek  cause,  and  a  little  political  fear  too,  concern- 
ing the  Presidential  election.    But  it  was  so  important  to 
form  a  Society  in  Albany,  that  I  felt  it  must  be  formed,  or  I 
must  give  up  all  hopes  of  doing  any  thing  in  this  State  ;  and 
my  experience  since  has  shown  me,  if  I  had  failed  then  it 
would  have  been  labour  and  time  almost  spent  in  vain,  to  have 
^  prosecuted  my  agency  elsewrhere.    I  informed  you  from  Al- 

bany that  the  Greek  cause  absorbed  almost  all  the  cash, 
and  very  much  of  the  interest.  But  I  am  not  certain  that  it 
has  not  compelled  me  to  take  the  best  course  in  the  end.  As 
I  concluded  in  consequence  not  to  ask  for  their  money  at 


109 


once,  but  to  come  and  hear  me,  and  then  afterwards  if  they 
saw  fit.  aid  the  object.  I  obtained  many  more  to  hear  me, 
and  have  always  left  the  plan,  with  fair  prospects  of  aid  here- 
after. 1  have  found  too  a  great  deal  of  prejudice,  and  igno- 
rance. To  do  away  this  prejudice  and  the  ignorance  that 
prevailed  was  necessar\  first,  and  this  is  the  most  that  I  have 
done,  except  the  organization  of  several  respectable  Auxilia- 
ries, and  this  has  been  done  to  a  considerable  extent.  For  this 
purpose  the  N.  Y.  Auxiliary  Society's  Report  has  been  ver}' 
useful.  Many  individuals  who  were  opposed  to  the  Society, 
because  they  supposed  it  a  scheme  of  the  slave-holders  to 
get  rid  of  the  free  blacks  and  their  surplus  slaves,  or  sup- 
posed all  the  colonists  died  as  fast  as  they  arrived  in  Africa,- 
(and  these  you  know  have  been  the  constant  representations 
of  the  papers.,  before  they  read  this  Report,)  afterwards  be- 
came the  warm  supporters  of  its  cause.  I  have  been  in  ma- 
ny instances  exceedingly  gratified  with  the  change  that  has 
taken  place.  One  man  stated  in  the  meeting,  convened  to 
take  measures  to  aid  the  Society,  that  when  he  first  received 
the  Report,  he  determined  not  to  read  it,  and  did  not  for  some 
time  ;  but  at  length  he  casually  took  it  up  and  read  a  little, 
became  interested,  and  now,  said  he,  I  not  only  feel  interest- 
ed, and  disposed  to  aid  this  cause,  but  I  feel  it  my  duty  to  do 
it.  I  could  relate  similar  anecdotes.  I  am  persuaded,  there- 
fore, that  although  1  have  obtained  little  money,  my  time  has. 
been  usefully  spent  in  this  town.  Societies  were  actually 
organized,  or  in  process  for  organization,  when  I  left  the 
plans,  in  sixteen  towns,  and  fair  prospects  of  their  formation 
in  three  or  four  more.  Besides  this,  I  have  sent  Reports 
and  Circulars  to  a  number  of  other  towns  in  the  State.  That 
I  have  not  been  idle  is  certain.  Whether  I  have  laboured  to 
good  effect  must  yet  be  determined.  I,  however,  can  say 
without  a  dotlbt  if  your  Society  will  fit  out  an  expedition  from 
this  port  or  Albany  next  season,  these  Societies  will  readily 
meet  the  expense.    I  trust  it  will  be  done. 

Yours,  with  respect,  L.  D.  DEWEY. 


Letter  from  Rev.  William  M'Kenney,  accompanying  his  Report 
Georgetown,  D.  C.  January  19,  1824. 
Gentlemen  : — The  Report  which  accompanies  this,  ex- 
hibits a  brief  outline  of  my  proceedings,  during  the  time  I 
was  engaged  in  forming  societies  auxiliary  to  the  American 
Colonization  Society. 


110 


As  stated  in  that  Report,  I  think  you  may  confidently  calcu- 
late on  receiving,  at  least,  one  thousand  dollars  from  Kent, 
Queen  Anne's,  Talbot,  and  Dorchester  counties  ;  and  should 
the  reports  from  the  Colony,  continue  favourable,  the  im- 
pressions already  made  of  the  practicability  of  the  scheme, 
will  be  deepened,  and  the  efforts  and  the  means  to  carry  it 
on,  will  increase  in  a  corresponding  ratio. 

The  scheme  is  looked  upon,  in  those  counties,  as  an  ex- 
traordinary stride  in  the  political  and  moral  march  of  our 
country,  essentially  important  to  its  domestic  tranquillity,  and 
equally  interesting  and  important  to  the  free  people  of  colour, 
whose  happiness  and  elevation  to  the  enjoyment  of  all  the 
natural  and  the  social  rights  of  man,  are  closely  interwoven 
with  the  whole  plan,  and  dependent  on  its  consummation. — 
This  view  of  the  subject  has  excited  a  general  interest  in  the 
cause,  and  I  am  happy  in  having  it  in  my  power  to  assure 
you,  that,  among  its  warmest  friends,  are  many  gentlemen  of 
the  highest  order  in  society,  alike  distinguished  for  their  po- 
litical foresight  and  humanity.  They  take  another  view  of 
the  subject,  which  cannot  fail  to  strike  every  man's  common 
sense,  viz  :  Colonization  in  Africa  is  all-important  to  the  entire 
destruction  of  the  slave  trade. 

The  magnanimous  efforts  of  our  own  country,  in  conjunc- 
tion with  Great  Britain,  to  effect  the  annihilation  of  this  most 
inhuman  traliick,  will  doubtless  do  much  :  but  to  finish  the 
work,  other  and  additional  means  are  necessary — means  cal- 
culated by  natural  process,  to  draw  the  attention  of  the  na- 
tives, to  the  arts  and  blessings  of  civilized  life.  This  done, 
the  great  work  is  finished,  and  Africa  is  free.  Is  it  not  obvi- 
ous to  the  slightest  observer  of  human  nature  and  human 
operations,  that  there  is  the  mast  perfect  adaptation  in  the 
plan  of  colonization  to  this  end  2 

It  is  also  my  duty  to  remark  apon  another  fact*  which  came 
under  my  own  observation  ;  and  I  do  it  with  great  pleasure, 
because  it  is  in  direct  refutation  of  imputations,  cast  upon  the 
southern  friends  of  the  Society,  involving  the  purity  of  their 
motives.  Holders  of  slaves,  expressed  their  ardent  desire 
for  the  success  of  the  scheme,  assigning  as  one  of  their  rea- 
sons, their  belief,  that  it  opened  the  only  way  that  could  be 
devised  for  gradual  emancipation,  without  injury  to  the  do- 
mestic relations  of  Society.  Such  are  among  its  most 
zealous  patrons  on  the  Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland,  and  as  the 
parent  society  shall  receive  means  to  widen  its  sphere  of 
operations,  so  as  to  receive  their  people,  they  will  be  among 
the  foremost  to  commence  the  work  of  gradual  emancipa- 
tion. Under  present  circumstances,  it  is  almost  entirely  out  of 
the  question.    A  conviction  of  this  lamentable  state  of  thinge. 


Ill 


has  forced  itself  upon  many  a  benevolent  heart  on  the  Eastern 
Shore  of  Maryland  ;  and  such  unhesitatingly  say,  if  the  Colo- 
nization Society  shall  fail  in  its  efforts  to  transport  the  free 
coloured  people  to  the  land  of  their  ancestors,  the  day  of 
emancipation  is  entirely  closed.  But  it  cannot  fail! — It  in- 
volves considerations  of  too  much  magnitude  and  interest  to 
the  nation,  and  proposes  the  only  effectual  remedy  to  an  evil, 
which  has  not  only  scourged  and  desolated  Africa,  but  has 
also  introduced  into  the  bosom  of  our  own  country,  the  ele- 
ments of  confusion,  distrust,  immorality,  and  destruction.  It 
cannot  fail,  because  it  is  calculated  to  insure,  (in  part,  at  least,) 
not  only  the  future  prosperity  of  all  the  domestic  relations 
of  this  country,  but  also  to  effect  the  intellectual  and  woral 
renovation  of  Africa,  whose  claims  upon  America  and  the 
nations  of  Europe,  are  marked  with  a  peculiarity  unknown 
to  the  demands  of  any  other  people. 

The  only  four  counties  I  passed  through  in  Maryland,  are 
named,  and  they  will,  as  already  observed,  bear  their  due 
proportion  of  the  necessary  expenses  of  the  parent  institu- 
tion;  and,  I  am  persuaded,  there  is  not  one  county  on  the 
Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland,  which  will  fail  to  unite  in  the 
Boblest  effort  ever  made  by  America,  to  extend  the  blessings 
of  civilized  life,  and  enlarge  the  sphere  of  those  operations, 
which  are  essentially  necessary  to  the  consummation  of  hea- 
ven's highest  purpose,  viz  :  "  peace  on  earth  and  good  will 
to  man."  With  considerations  of  respect,  I  am,  gentlemen, 
your  ob't  servant,  \V.  McKENNEY. 

To  the  Committee  of  Managers  ( 

of  the  A.  C.  S.  Washington.  ) 


H. 

COLONIZATION  SOCIETY. 

On  Friday  evening  last,  5th  March,  1821,  the  Society  met 
in  the  Capitol,  according  to  adjournment,  when  the  Presideni 
being  absent,  Wm.  H  Fitzhuch,  one  of  the  Vice-Presidents 
was  called  to  the  chair,  and  the  Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley  was  ap- 
pointed Secretary. 

General  Harpkr,  from  the  committee  appointed  on  the 
20th  of  last  month,  presented  a  report,  which  was  read,  a- 
follows  : 

"  The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  resolution  re- 
lative to  a  memorial  to  Congress,  with  instructions  v'  to  inquire 
into  the  expediency  of  an  immediate  application  to  Congress, 
and  the  nature  and  extent  of  the  aid  to  be  asked  for,"  having 
had  the  subject  under  their  serious  consideration,  have  agreed 
lo  the  following  report 


112 

*t  The  resolution  referred  to  them  purports  "  that  a  re- 
spectful memorial  be  presented  to  Congress,  on  the  part  of 
this  Society,  stating  the  progress  that  has  been  made  in  es- 
tablishing a  colony  of  free  people  of  colour  at  Liberia,  on 
the  southwest  coast  of  Africa  ;  the  difficulties  that  have  been 
surmounted  in  the  progress  of  thi«  establishment,  its  present 
situation,  its  prospects  of  ultimate  success,  and  the  benefits 
which  it  may  be  expected  to  produce  ;  and  praying  for  aid 
from  the  national  government  in  the  further  prosecution  of 
this  great  national  undertaking."  The  task  assigned  to  the 
committee  is  to  inquire  into  the  expediency  of  such  an  appli- 
cation to  Congress,  at  this  time  ;  and  into  the  nature  and  ex- 
tent of  the  aid  to  which  the  application,  if  now  proper,  ought 
to  be  directed. 

"Of  the  expediency  of  now  making  such  an  application  to 
.        Congress,  the  committee,  after  very  full  and  attentive  consi- 
/i  ^Jr* *f  deration,  entertain  no  doubt.     It  seems  to  them  very  clear, 

^Co**^'      .     A  m  and  they  believe  is  universally  admitted,  that  no  means  which 
/  i-A-  X)A^^iJi^  individuals,  or  any  association  of  individuals,  however  numer- 
k/*'*  ous  or  zealous,  can  command,  are  adequate  to  the  accom- 

fr^,  pfjuUjL^Jj  t0t**plishment  of  any  thing  more,  than  to  prove  the  practicability 
of  this  enterprise,  to  shew  the  course  which  must  be  pursued 
•  in  its  successful  prosecution,  and  to  open  and  prepare  the  way 

for  its  accomplishment.    This,  your  committee  apprehend, 
has  been  already  affected,  by  the  efforts  of  this  Society  and 
its  auxiliaries,  aided  by  the  liberal  .md  enlightened  measures 
£  adopted  By  the  President  of  the  United  States,  under  the  au- 

thority of  Congress.  A  territory,  probably  the  best  and  most 
suitable  for  the  purpose  which  the  whole  southwestern  coast 
of  Africa  contains,  has  been  procured.  A  colony  has  been 
actually  established,  and  now  subsists  ;  the  hostility  of  the 
neighbouring  tribes  has  been  successfully  resisted  and  over- 
*  m  .  %  come  ;  and  very  considerable  progress  has  been  made  in  con- 
y/       j  ciliating  and  securing  their  amity,  their  good  will,  and  their 

/ // QfjL  confidence.    Land  has  been  distributed  to  the  colonists,  who 

y,  U i/J&s*  t*^*      have  made  much  progress  in  erecting  houses,  charing  and 
/       .   enclosing  fields,  and  preparing  for  a  cultivation,  not  only  suffi- 
f  n  /fct&J***ien*-  f°r  tneir  own  support,  but  for  the  supply  of  future  etni- 

pfjb*'*     ^  grants.    A  species  of  government  by  consent  has  been  estab- 

^  hshed,  in  which  the  colonists  have  a  share,  and  which  has 

m  hitherto  been  found  sufficient  for  the  maintenance  of  security 

and  order  :  and,  above  .all,  it  has  been  found  that,  to  the  Afri- 
can race,  for  which  this  asylum  is  intended,  the  climate  is  so 
,  well  suited,  that  far  less  mortality  has  taken  place  at  this  es- 
tablishment,  than  usually  attends  new  settlements,  in  our  own 
or  any  other  country.  It  is  also  proved,  that  free  people  of 
-  olour  are  ready  and  desirous  to  migrate  in  far  greater  num- 


113 


bers  than  the  means  at  the  disposal  of  the  Society  enable  it 
to  convey. 

"AH  this, as  the  committee  apprehend,  incontestibly  proves, 
not  only  the  practicability,  but  the  facility,  of  colonizing  the 
free  people  of  colour,  in  the  place  which  has  been  chosen, 
and  on  the  plan  which  has  been  adopted. 

"  If  nothing  were  in  view  but  the  benefit  of  the  individuals 
themselves,  who  are  thus  rescued  from  a  state  of  hope  less 
degradation,  where  by  far  the  greater  part  of  them  are  worse 
than  useless  to  themselves  and  to  the  romiuunity,  howevci 
humane  and  praiseworthy  the  object  must  be  admitted  to  be, 
it  would  possess  little  of  a  public  character,  which  could  give 
it  a  claim  to  the  countenance  of  government.  But  it  cannot, 
as  the  committee  think,  be  denied,  and  ought  not  to  be  over- 
looked, that  this  enterprise  touches  ourselves,  in  nation  J 
points  of  the  most  vital  importance.  They  arc  too  obvious 
to  require  particular  explanation  here,  and  too  urgent  to  need 
enforcement.  They  require  that  the  whole  mass  of  free 
persons  of  colour,  and  those  who  may  become  such  with 
the  consent  of  their  owners,  should  be  progressively  removed 
from  among  us,  a«  fast  as  their  own  consent  can  be  obtained, 
and  as  the  means  can  be  found  lor  their  removal  and  for  their 
proper  establishment  in  Africa.  Nothing  short  of  this  pro- 
gressive but  complete  removal,  as  the  committee  believe,  can 
accomplish  the  great  objects  of  this  measure,  in  relation  to 
the  security,  prosperity,  and  happiness  of  the  United  States. 

"  On  the  greatness  of  the  number  thus  tol>e  removed,  and 
the  rapidity  with  which,  from  various  cau-es,  it  increases, 
the  committee  do  not  think  it  necessary  to  enlarge.  It  is  well 
known  to  be  far  too  great,  to  be  sensibly  affected  by  any  re- 
sources which  an  association  of  individuals  can  command.  To 
the  nation,  and  to  the  nation  alone,  must  we  look  for  adequate 
means  of  accomplishing  such  a  work. 

"  This  the  committee  regard  as  an  undertaking  strictly  and 
essentially  national,  in  which,  consequently,  the  national  re- 
sources ought  to  be  employed  The  evil  to  be  removed 
particularly  affects,  indeed,  particular  parts  of  the  nation  : 
but  affects  the  rest  by  its  necessary  consequences,  and  is, 
therefore,  a  national  evil.  In  the  body  politic,  as  in  the  na- 
tural body,  a  part  cannot  be  diseased  without  endangering  the 
whole,  and  a  gangrene  is  not  the  less  fatal,  because  it  com- 
mences in  the  foot,  or  the  hand.  The  governments,  indeed, 
of  those  states  which  are  most  immediately  affected  by  this 
evil,  may  justly  be  expected  to  do  something  ;  but,  as  the 
evil  is  strictly  national  in  its  character,  the  general  govern- 
ment ought  to  be  looked  to,  in  the  first  place,  and  mainly  for 
the  remedy. 

P 


/ 


114 


«  1  hose  reasons  have  led  the  committee  to  conclude,  that 

application  ought  to  be  made  to  the  national  government. 

i     *        +y       They  are  aware  that  doubts  exist,  in  quarters  entitled  to  the 

I     '^t*-^  '  If      highest  respect,  about  the  expediency  of  making  this  applica- 

'    V  -  f |  tion  at  present.    But,  after  a  careful  consideration  of  that 

•    *  vt       ^  ,  .... 

jjW  T\  ,y  .  point,  they  are  of  opinion,  that  an  immediate  application  is 

advisable.  The  time  has  come,  when,  the  way  being  found 
to  be  practicable,  opened,  and  prepared,  the  national  govern  - 
ment may,  with  propriety,  enter  on  this  great  career.  It  has 
also  come,  when  almost  all  that  can  be  effected  by  individual 
resources,  has  been  effecttJ. 

"  The  committee  would  also  remark,  that,  although  it  may 
be  doubted  whether,  on  a  subject  so  vast  in  its  consequences 
and  connections,  and  so  new,  Congress  will  act  immediately — 
Zr  this  does  not,  in  their  opinion,  furnish  any  sufiicient  reason 
"A  for  delaying  the  application.  Time  must  be  allowed  for  view- 
ing the  subject  in  all  its  bearings,  for  reflecting  on  it  mature- 
ly, and  for  public  opinion  to  receive  and  communicate  the 
proper  impulse.  Nothing,  the  committee  apprehend,  will 
tend  so  effectually  to  produce  and  to  hasten  these  desirable 
results,  as  full  discussions  and  explanations  of  the  whole 
subject  in  Congress  for  which  the  present  moment  seems 
particularly  favourable.  They  are,  therefore,  of  opinion, 
that  it  is  advisable  to  make  the  application  during  the  present 
session,  and  at  as  early  a  period  as  practicable. 

H  On  the  nature  and  extent  of  the  aid  for  which  it  would 
|       ■..      be  proper  to  ask*  more  doubt  may  exist.    But  the  committee 
„    are  Q£  0pi n ion-,  after  much  reflection,  that  Congress  ought  to 
f.  ^tA^  fjL4h*4       ^e  requested  to  take  under  its  protection  the  colony  already 
planted  ;   to  make  provision  for  its  increase  by  suitable  ap- 
propriations of  money,  and  by  authorizing  the  President  to 
make  further  purchases  of  land  from,  the  natives,  as  it  may 
De  wanted  :  to  provide  for  its  security,  internal  and  external, 
,\f  (jAJf  ^  !,ucn  regulations  for  its  temporary  government,  as  may  be 

deemed  advisable,  and  by  authorizing  the  President  to  em- 
ploy a  suitable  naval  force  on  the  coast,  as  well  for  the  more 
effectual  suppression  of  the  slave  trade,  as  for  the  purpose  of 
impressing  the  natives  with  respect  for  the-  establishment  ; 
and  to  make  provision  for  the  purchase,  from  time  to  time> 
of  suitable  territories,  on  the  south-western  coast  of  Africa, 
for  the  establishment  of  other  similar  colonies,  as  fast  as  they 
can  be  formed,  with  a  due  regard  to  the  national  resources, 
and  to  the  public  good. 

"  It  will,  also,  as  your  committee  apprehend,  be  proper  to 
pray  for  an  incorporation  of  the  Society,  within  this  district, 
with  proper  powers'and  privileges,  as  an  efficient  mean  of 
promoting  these  important  objects,  and  for  a  continuation  of 


\\5 


the  appropriation  for  the  restoration  of  recaptured  African? 
to  their  own  country,  and  their  support  nnd  protection  there. 

"All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted." 

It  was,  thereupon,  resolved,  that  the  snid  report  be  ap- 
proved, adopted,  and  published,  and  that  a  memorial,  accord- 
ingly, be  prepared  by  the  *ame  committee,  signed  by  the  Pre- 
sident, and  presented  to  Congress,  on  the  "part  of  the  So- 
ciety. R.  R.  GUKLEY,  Secretary. 


J. 

Baltimore,  February  18th,  1824. 
Gentlemen  :  I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  of  my 
arrival  at  this  place  on  the  10th  inst.  in  the  schooner  Fidelity, 
in  thirty-seven  days  from  R-io  Pongas,  and  fifty-nine  days  trom 
Montserado. 

I  left  the  colony  in  a  slate  of  prosperity — the  lots  were 
surveyed  and  allotted  to  the  people  in  August,  but  the  threat- 
ening aspect  of  the  natives  made  it  necessary  to  leave  our 
agricultural  pursuits,  and  attend  to  the  defence  of  our  colony, 
which  occupied  our  time  until  November. 

I  was  much  disappointed  in  the  efforts  produced  by  distri- 
buting the  lots  to  each  person.  I  had  fondly  looked  forward  to 
this  era  as  a  period  which  would  put  a  stop  to  the  dissentions 
and  murmurs  of  the  people,  who  have  always  been  complain- 
ing that  this  had  not  been  effected.  Rut  when  this  was  done, 
they  clearly  demonstrated  the  principle  yvhich  h  id  really  ac- 
tuated them  from  the  first.  Instead  of  accepting  them,  and 
going  to  work  to  improve  them,  the  old  settlers  to  a  man,  and 
some  of  the  brig  Strong's  cargo,  refused  to  accept  the  lots, 
and  became  very  turbulent.  For  this  course  many  reasons 
were  assigned — some  that  the  society  had  deceived  them  ; 
that  they  went  out  expecting  to  govern  themselves,  and  had 
no  idea  of  having  white  Agents,  with  various  other  reasons, 
which  I  reserve  for  a  future  communication. 

Those  whom  I  took  out  last,  with  the  exception  of  two,  ac- 
cepted their  lots,  and  shewed  a  disposition  to  be  orderly  and 
industrious.  They  were  all  recovering  their  health,  and  be- 
ginning to  labour  on  their  lots. 

The  plantations  were  allotted  to  such  as  bad  accepted  their 
lots,  and  from  the  disposition  manifested  by  them,  I  think  they 
will  soon  be  handsomely  improved. 

1  have  thus  accomplished  the  objects  yvhich  1  had  originally 
jn  view  yvhen  I  accepted  the  appointment  as  Agent  of  your 
society,  which  was  to  procure  a  situation  for  this  unfortunate 
race  of  people  on  the  Coast  of  Africa,  and  to  see  each  one  set- 
tled on  lands  of  his  own,  where,  by  a  course  of  honest  industry. 


116 


he  might  procure  a  comfortable  subsistence,  and  raise  himself 
and  posterity  from  that  state  of  degradation  in  which  he  must 
ever  be  placed  in  this  country,  to  a  state  of  independence  and 
happiness. 

This  being  accomplished,  I  beg  leave  to  resign  my  appoint- 
ment as  agent  of  yoursociety,  and  I  do  hereby  resign  the  same. 

Indisposition  since  my  arrival  has  been  the  cause  of  my  not 
communicating  to  you  more  fully,  and  at  an  earlier  date. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  y  onr  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

E.  AY  RES. 

Messrs.  the  Committee  of  the  Col.  Soc'y. 


K. 

Dr.  E.  Ayres  to  the  Abolition  Society,  Philadelphia. 

Washington,  March  llth,  1824. 

Sir  :  I  received  a  letter  from  you  dated  March  3d,  1823, 
concerning  a  letter  to  King  Shaker,  of  Gallenos,  respecting  a 
grandson  of  the  King,  now  under  the  care  of  the  Committee 
of  the  Abolition  Society  of  Philadelphia. 

I  took  the  first  opportunity  after  my  arrival  in  Africa  fo 
send  your  communication  to  him  ;  much  gratified  to  have  it 
in  my  power  to  shew  the  Africans  that  theie  were  white  men 
in  the  world,  who  were  actuated  by  very  different  motives 
from  those  with  whom  they  had  been  in  the  habit  of  dealing. 
They  have  been  accustomed  to  look  upon  the  character  of  a 
white  man,  as  a  combination  of  all  that  debases  human  na- 
ture. You  may,  therefore,  judge  of  the  feelings  of  an  aged 
and  fond  grandfather,  (for  they  have  human  feelings,)  upon 
receiving  intelligence  of  his  long  lost  child.  I  accompanied 
your  letter  with  an  account  of  our  settlement,  and  the  object 
we  had  in  view  of  returning  the  much  injured  Africans  to  the 
Jand  of  their  forefathers. 

lie  wrote  me  a  very  kind  letter,  (which  I  would  have  sent 
you,  but  it  is  mislaid)  thanking  me  for  the  information,  and 
requesting  me  to  inform  you  of  the  great  regard  which  he 
felt  for  the  attention  they  had  paid  to  his  grandson.  He 
begged  me  to  assure  the  Abolition  Society  that  he  would  re- 
munerate them  for  all  expenses  they  had  incurred  on  account 
of  his  child.  He  seemed  much  pleased  at  the  location  of 
our  colon}',  and  wished  to  open  a  trade  with  us  as  soon  as 
the  rains  should  cease. 

There  has  another  circumstance  occurred,  which,  m  con- 
junction with  the  above,  may  be  said  to  have  opened  anew 
era  to  the  view  of  the  natives  on  this  part  of  the  Coast. 

The  eleven  Africans  who  were  seized  in  Baltimore,  and 
rescued  from  a  piratical  vessel,  as  you  have  doubtless  heard 


117 


by  the  newspapers,  were  last  November  delivered  to  me  in 
Africa,  by  the  captain  of  the  schooner  Fidelity.  It  was  ascer- 
tained that  they  had  been  taken  in  war  near  our  settlement,  and 
sold  by  King  Shaker,  of  Gallenos,  and  by  him  sold  to  the  captain 
of  a  Spanish  vessel.  This  vessel  was  plundered  by  captain 
Chase,  of  Baltimore,  and  boldly  brought  into  that  port,  trust- 
ing to  his  influence  with  certain  persons  of  high  standing,  to 
elude  the  authority  of  our  laws.  But  by  the  interference  of 
E.  Tyson,  deceased,  there  was  an  investigation,  and  the  slaves 
were  detained  until  I  arrived  in  thai  city,  and  took  charge  of 
them  as  Agent  of  the  Colonization  Society.  Their  case  could 
not  be  decided  before  I  sailed  for  Africa,  hut  they  were  short- 
ly after  set  at  liberty,  and  sent  in  the  African  packet  to  our 
colony,  and  delivered  to  my  care.  As  they  all  preferred  re- 
turning to  their  parents  and  families  to  remaining  in  our  colo- 
ny, they  were  permitted  to  do  so. 

When  I  went  on  board  the  vessel,  though  much  emaciated 
and  reduced  almost  to  a  skeleton,  they  immediately  recog- 
nized me  to  be  the  person  who  had  the  year  before  rescued 
them  from  slavery.  1  had  scarcely  stepped  my  foot  on  d  ck 
before  they  were  all  round  me,  expressing  by  words  and  ges- 
tures the  most  heartfelt  satisfaction  for  the  favours  they  had  re 
ceived. 

When  the  vessel  was  gettir.gunder  way,  yieldingto  early  im- 
pressions, by  which  they  had  been  taught  to  consider  a  white 
face  and  treachery  as  inseparable,  they  concluded  they  w°re 
betrayed,  and  were  again  to  return  to  America,  They  sprang 
below  to  get  their  bags,  and  were  about  to  plunge  into  the 
Ocean,  and  swim  to  the  shore  with  their  bundles.  On  being 
assured  I  was  about  to  restore  them  to  their  native  towns, 
some  of  which  were  nearly  in  sight,  their  confidence  was  re- 
stored, and  they  contentedly  went  to  work.  When  arrived 
at  Sugary,  our  crew  being  sickly,  I  sent  on  shore  for  Charles 
Gomez,  a  native,  who  had  been  educated  in  England,  to  come 
off  with  his  boat,  and  take  the  captives  onshore.  He  came, 
off,  accompanied  by  several  of  the  natives  ;  and  here  a  most 
interesting  interview  took  place  between  these  long  separated 
acquaintances. 

A  circumstance  attending  this  affair  is  tru^y  characteristic 
of  the  African  character.  One  of  these  captives  had  been 
taken  by  this  Gomez  two  years  before,  in  a  war  between 
him  and  the  father  of  the  captives,  and  afterwards  sold  to 
King  Shaker.  This  captive  was  at  first  very  shy  of  Gomez, 
and  refused  to  go  on  shore  with  him,  fearing  the  war  was  not 
yet  over,  and  that  he  should  be  again  sold  to  a  slave  vessel 
then  Iving  in  sight  ;  but  T  assured  him  that  he  was  in  no  dan- 
ger ;  that  I  knew  the  war  to  be  over  ;  that  Gomez  was  a  par- 


118 

licular  friend  of  mine,  and  traded  with  me  ;  and,  in  the  pre- 
sence of  both  assured  them,  that  should  Gomez  attempt  to 
do  him  injustice,  1  would  not  fail  to  ha-tise  hi:ii.  These  as- 
surances entirely  overcame  his  doubts,  and  when  told  that  his 
father  and  the  fathers  of  two  others  of  them  were  then  standing 
on  the  beach,  not  knowing  that  it  was  their  sons,  whom  they 
had  long  supposed  were  doomed  to  perpetual  slavery,  were 
so  shortly  to  be  restored  to  then  fond  em  races,  they  all 
stept  into  the  boat,  and  in  a  few  minutes  astonished  their  de- 
lighted parents  on  the  shore.  I  was  much  pleased  to  see 
that  Gomez  appeared  truly  to  enter  into  the  feelings  of  those 
poor  creatures  at  this  time,  although  he  had  been  the  cause 
of  nil  their  sufferings  ;  but  that  was  considered  by  them  as  the 
fortune  of  war,  and  created  no  hostile  feelings  of  revenge. 

When  taking  my  final  leave  of  these  poor  fellows,  they,  point- 
ing to  their  bags,  tilled  with  presents  from  Gen.  Harper  and  Eli- 
jah Tyson,  exclaimed,  see  there  ! — them  daddies  in  America 
good  man.  T-hese  circumstances  shew  what  entire  confidence 
may  be  obtained  over  native  Africans  by  good  offices.  I  wish  I 
could  say  it  was  possible  to  obtain  the  same  degree  of  confi- 
dence over  the  coloured  people  of  this  country  by  any  kind- 
ness whatever. 

Does  not  this  show  the  proper  field  to  operate  upon  in  sup- 
pressingthe  slave  trade  ?  Send  men  among  them  capable  of  in- 
structing them— 4et  them  be  qualified  in  head  as  well  as  in 
Jheart — not  avaricious  speculators,  nor  yet  ignorant  enthusi- 
asts  ;  but  practical  men,  who  can  give  the  natives  a  living  ex- 
ample of  integrity  of  principle,  and  at  the  same  time  instiuct 
them  in  other  modes  of  obtaining  the  necessaries  of  life.  Let 
them  be  taught  the  benefit  of  employing  their  time  in  culti- 
vating the  earth — shew  them  that  the  labour  of  a  man  for  one 
year  will  produce  more  than  they  can  sell  him  for— create  a 
market  for  all  they  can  supply,  and  give  them  in  exchange 
such  articles  as  they  want,  immediately  their  wars,  which 
have  been  entered  into  merely  to  get  slaves,  the  sale  of  which 
is  the  only  method  they  know  of  to  supply  their  wants,  will 
cease. 

I  think  myself  authorized  in  this  assertion,  having  witnessed 
the  effects  produced  by  the  very  limited  trade  which  1  open- 
ed with  them  fdf  a  short  time  while  in  the  colony,  and  view- 
ing the  alacrity  with  which  they  entered  into  any  new  busi- 
ness which  was  proposed  to  them.  I  believe  I  am  safe  in 
saying  there  was  more  work  performed  within  about  40  miles  of 
the  Coast  in  six  weeks,  at  the  close  of  the  rains,  with  a  view  of 
trading  with  our  colony  when  the  rains  should  cease,  than 
had  ever  been  done  in  any  four  years  before.    If  the  first 


119 


impulse  could  produce  this  effect,  what  may  be  expected 
from  a  continuation  of  the.  same  cause. 

I  have  no  troubt  but  that  a  uj  expenses  accruing  to  the  Abolu 
tion  Society  on  account  of  tins  lad,  now  under  theircare.  will  be 
faithfully  discharged  by  King  Shaker;  and  as  it  may  be  of  im- 
mense importance  to  Africa  hereafter,  1  hope  the  society  will 
spare  no  pains  to  have  him  properly  educated,  and  instructed 
in  agriculture  or  the  mechanical  arts.  Should  he  in  future 
succeed  to  his  grandfather's  authority  in  the  principal  mart 
of  the  slave  trade  now  on  the  Coast,  this  fortunate  circum- 
stance may  be  the  means  of  rescuing  more  unfortunate  beings 
from  the  iron  hand  of  slavery,  than  all  the  exertions  of  the 
society  have  done  since  its  first  establishment. 

That  this  maj  be  the  happy  issue  of  your  humane  endea- 
vours, is  the  ardent  wish  of  your  most  obedient, 

E.  AY  RES. 


Message  from  the  President  of  the  United  States,  transmitting 
the  information  required  by  a  resolution  of  the  House  of  Re- 
presentatives, of  21th  February  last,  in  relation  to  the  sup- 
pression of  the  Jifrican  Slave-Trade. 
To  the  House  of  Representatives  : 

I  transmit,  herewith,  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  a 
report  irom  the  Secretary  of  State,  with  the  papers  therein 
referred  to,  in  compliance  with  a  resolution  ot "that  House,  of 
27th  January  last.  JAMES  MONROE. 

Washington,  19th  March,  1824. 


Department  of  State,  Washington,  18th  March,  182-1. 
The  Secretary  of  State,  to  whom  has  been  referred  a  reso- 
lution of  the  House  of  Representatives,  of  the  27th  of  Janua- 
ry last,  requesting  the  President  to  communicate  to  that  House 
«uch  part,  as  he  may  not  deem  inexpedient  to  divulge,  of  any 
correspondence,  or  negotiation,  which  he  may  have  instituted 
with  any  foreign  government,  since  the  28th  of  February, 
1823,  in  compliance  with  a  request  contained  in  a  resolution 
of  the  same  House  of  that  date,  relative  to  the  denunciation 
of  the  African  slave-trade  as  piracy,  has  the  honour  to  submit, 
to  the  President,  copies  of  the  correspondence  requested. 

JOHN  QU1NCY  ADAMS. 


LIST  OF  PAPERS  SENT. 

1.  Mr.  Canning  to  Mr.  Adams,        .        29  January,  1S23, 

2.  Mr.  Adams  to  Mr.  Canning,        .        31  March,  do. 

3.  Mr.  Canning  to  Mr.  Adams %  8  April,  do. 


12J 


4.  Mr.  Adams  to  Mr.  Canning,        .        24  June,  11323, 

5.  Mr.  Adams  to  Mr.  Nelson,  (Extract)  28  April,  do. 
'5.      Same       to  Mr.  Rodney,      do.      17  May,  do. 

7.  Same        to  Mr.  Anderson,    do.      27  May,  do. 

8.  Same       to  Mr.  Rush,  with  one  en- 

closure ;  Convention  Slave  Trade, 

(Extract)        ....     24  June,  do. 

0.      Same       to  Mr.  Middleton,  (Copy)  28  July,  do. 

10.  Same       to  Mr.  Everett,       do.       8  August,  do. 

11.  Same       to  Gen.  Dearborn,  (Extract)  14  do.  do. 

12.  Mr.  Rush  to  Mr.  Adams,    (Extracts)   9  October,  do. 

13.  Mr.  Sheldon  to  same,  do.      16       do.  do. 

14.  Same       to  same,  with  two  enclo- 

sures ;  correspondence  with  Vis- 
count Chateaubriand,  (Extracts)  8  Novr.  do. 

15.  Mr.  Everett  to  Mr.  Adams,  with  two 

enclosures ;  correspondence  with 

Baron  Nagell,         (Extracts)  20  Novr.  do. 

Mr.  Canning  to  Mr.  Adams, 

Washington,  January  29,  1023, 

Sia  :  To  the  complete  abolition  of  the  African  slave  trade . 
Great  Britain,  as  you  are  well  aware,  has  long  devoted  her 
anxious  and  unremitting  exertions  ;  she  availed  herself,  dur- 
ing the  war,  of  her  belligerant  rights,  and  extended  dominioa 
in  the  colonies,  to  put  down  the  inhuman  traffick  ;  in  peace, 
she  has  spared  no  labour,  and  shrunk  from  no  sacrifice,  to 
supply,  by  a  general  co-operation  of  the  maritime  powers, 
whatever  has  been  withdrawn  from  her  peculiar  controul  by 
the  cessation  of  Hostilities,  and  the  colonial  arrangements 
consequent  on  that  event.  It  is  matter  of  deep  regret,  to  his 
majesty's  government,  that  the  result  of  their  exertions  is  far 
from  corresponding  either  to  the  cause  which  demands,  or  to 
the  zeal  which  sustains  them.  The  pest,  which  they  have 
pledged  themselves  to  destroy,  if  it  be  in  human  power  to 
destroy  it,  not  only  survives,  to  the  disgrace  and  affliction  of 
the  age,  but  seems  to  acquire  a  fresh^c  apacity  for  existence 
with  every  endeavour  for  its  destruction. 

To  whatever  fatality  it  may  be  owing,  that,  while  the  obli- 
gation of  adopting  and  enforcing  measures  for  the  extermina- 
tion of  the  slave  trade,  is  solemnly  acknowledged  by  the 
civilized  world,  this  great  object  seems  rather  lo  elude  the 
grasp  than  to  approach  its  consummation.  Great  Britain  per- 
ceives, in  the  postponement  of  her  hopes,  however  mortify- 
ing for  the  moment,  no  rea-on  either  to  relax  from  her  efforts, 
or  to  abandon  the  expectation  of  finul  success.    Impelled,  b? 


123 


the  noblest  motives,  to  persevere  in  the  cause  of  abolition, 
and  mindful  by  what  slow  laborious  steps  the  present  point 
has  been  attained,  she  looks  forward,  through  surrounding 
obstacles,  to  that  triumphant  accomplishment  of  her  purpose, 
the  benefit  and  glory  of  which  will  only  be  rendered  more 
signal  by  the  difficulties  attendant  on  its  progress. 

In  calling  on  Europe  and  America  to  join  with  them  in  the 
discharge  of  this  sacred  duty,  his  majesty  and  his  ministers 
have  appealed,  sir,  with  the  more  confidence,  to  your  gov- 
ernment, as  the  United  States  have  long  proclaimed  their 
decided  hostility  to  the  slave  trade,  and  are  surpassed  by  no 
country  in  the  vigour  of  their  legislative  enactments  for  its 
repression.    The  identity  of  principle,  existing  on  this  sub- 
ject, between  the  two  governments,  is  distinctly  recorded  in 
the  treaty  of  peace  ;  and,  in  answer  to  every  proposal  which 
has  since,  by  his  majesty's  command,  been  addressed  to  your 
cabinet,  for  redeeming  that  pledge,  by  a  broad  and  effectual 
application  of  the  principle,  afresh  assurance  has  been  given 
of  the  unceasing  interest  with  which  the  United  States  con- 
tinue to  promote  the  cause  of  abolition.  When,  to  this  accord, 
in  principle  and  sentiment,  is  added  the  conviction,  avowed 
by  both  parties,  that,  in  spite  of  laws  and  treaties,  the  accursed 
traffick  still  thrives,  under  the  eyes  of  an  indignant  world,  it 
would  seem  impossible  that  the  two  powers  should  be  long 
prevented  from  concerting  a  joint  system  of  measures  against 
the  common  object  of  their  abhorrence  and  just  proscription. 
Whatever  circumstances,  views,  or  impressions,  may  have 
hitherto  defeated  this  expectation,  his  majesty's  ministers  are 
gtill  unwilling  to  despair  of  finding  the  United  States  at  length 
prepared  either  to  close  with  the  system  of  concert  already 
offered  to  their  acceptance,  or  to  suggest  a  plan  of  equal  effi- 
ciency in  its  place.    The  alternative  embraces  a  duty,  for  the 
performance  of  which  both  countries  are  responsible  before 
God  and  man. 

A  deep  sense  of  this  duty,  and  a  reliance,  by  no  mean9  re 
linquished,  on  the  general  disposition  of  the  United  States, 
have  prompted  theseveral  communications  on  this  question, 
which  have  been  addressed  to  you  at  successive  periods,  either 
through  me  or  by  means  of  the  American  Envoy  in  London. 
You  will  readily  call  to  mind,  sir,  that,  in  the  course  of  last 
summer,  1  apprised  you  of  the  intention  of  his  majesty's  min- 
isters to  press  for  an  early  re-consideration  of  the  subject, 
submitting  whether  it  might  not  prove  agreeable  to  the  Ame- 
rican cabinet  to  anticipate  that  intended  recurrence  to  it  on 
the  part  of  Great  Britain,  by  some  efficient  proposal,  origin- 
ating with  itself.    I  took  occasion,  in  repeated  conversations 


\22 


to  urge  anew  those  Various  arguments  which  support  and  jus 
tify  the  opinion  of  his  majesty's  government  ;  and  1  a\ao 
placed  in  your  hands  the  official  papers,  then  recently  printed 
by  order  of  Parliament,  in  further  evidence  of  the  extent  to 
which  the  traflick  in  human  beings  was  still  carried  on  from 
Africa,  under  circumstances  of  aggravated  cruelty.  In  de- 
claring, as  on  former  occasions,  the  readiness  of  his  majesty's 
ministers  to  examine,  with  respect  and  candour,  whatever 
scheme  of  concert,  if  any,  the  American  cabinet  might  think 
proper  to  bring  forward,  as  a  substitute  for  theirs,  you  wilt 
remember  how  strongly  I  expressed  my  belief  that  the  only 
effectual  measure  devised,  or  likely  to  be  devised,  was  a  mu- 
tual concession  of  the  right  of  search.  In  the  exercise  of 
that  right,  under  such  guards,  and  with  such  limitations,  as 
may  serve  to  tramquilize  the  most  apprehensive  and  scrupu- 
lous minds,  it  is  still  conceived  that  the  best  and  only  cure  for 
this  intolerable  mishief  ie  to  be  found.  You  assured  me,  at  a 
subsequent  conference,  that  my  representations  had  been  duly 
submitted  to  the  President.  I  wish  it  were  in  my  power  to 
add,  that  the  cause,  which  I  pleaded,  had  prevailed. 

From  the  printed  documents  which  I  had  the  honour  of 
communicating  to  you,  it  appears  that  the  French  flag  is  more 
particularly  employed  to  cover  the  illicit  trade  on  the  coast 
of  Africa.  It  would,  perhaps,  be  unfair  to  conclude,  that 
French  property  and  French  subjects  are  concerned  to  the 
full  proportion  in  which  the  colours  of  that  nation  are  used  ; 
but  it  is  manifest,  that  both  are  engaged  in  this  commerce  of 
blood,  to  an  extent  which  reflects  discredit,  if  not  on  the  mo- 
tives of  the  French  administration,  at  least  on  the  efficiency 
of  its  measures  ;  and  makes  it  imperative  on  those  govern- 
ments which  are  pledged  to  each  other  for  the  suppression  of 
the  slave  trade,  to  declare  their  reprobation  of  what  is  at  best 
a  culpable  remissness,  and  to  omit  nothing  that  may  rouse 
the  French  cabinet  to  a  more  active  exercise  of  its  authority. 

It  was  a  part  of  my  instructions  to  bring  this  point  undei 
your  immediate  consideration,  and  to  intimate  that  the  remon- 
strances of  his  majesty's  ambassador  at  Paris,  might  be  at- 
tended with  more  effect,  if  the  American  envoy  at  that  court 
w  ere  directed  to  concur  with  his  excellency  in  a  joint  repre- 
sentation on  the  subject.  It  would  be  idle  at  present  to  repeat 
the  arguments  adduced  in  executing  this  instruction.  The 
answer  which  you  returned  in  the  name  of  the  President,  was 
unfavourable  to  the  step  I  had  suggested  ;  and  such  was  the 
result  which  it  became  my  duty  to  announce  to  his  majesty's 
Secretary  of  State.  But  no  doubt  was  started  with  respect  to 
the  grounds  on  which  my  application  rested  ;  and,  of  those 


123 


notorious  facts,  to  which  I  referred,  as  calling  for  a  joint  and 
impressive  appeal  to  the  good  faith  and  good  feelings  of  the 
French  government,  you  seemed  to  be  equally  convinced  with 
myself. 

The  reasons,  indeed,  which  you  allege  for  declining  at  thai 
time  to  comply  with  a  proposal,  no  less  simple  in  its  nature 
than  useful  in  its  object,  1  understood  to  be  rather  of  a  tem- 
porary character  ;  and  under  this  impression,  I  cannot  but 
hope,  that  the  period  is  now  arrived  when  they  will  no  longer 
be  found  to  stand  in  opposition  to  the  great  considerations 
involved  in  this  question. 

In  repeating,  therefore,  the  invitation  winch  I  have  already 
had  the  honour  to  convey  to  you  on  the  part  of  his  majesty's 
government,  it  only  remains  lor  me  to  request  an  early  com- 
munication of  the  intentions  at  present  entertained  on  this 
hfcad  by  the  government  of  the  United  States. 

I  beg,  sir.  that  you  will  accept  the  assurance  of  mv  distin- 
guished consideration.  STRATFORD  CANNING. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Quincy  Adams, 

Secretary  of  State,  <yr. 


Mr,  Adanks  to  J\Ir.  Canning. 
Department  of  Slate,  Washington,  3lst  March,  1023. 
Sir:  Your  letter  of  the  29lh  of  January,  was,  immediate!) 
after  being  received,  submitted  to  the  consideration  of  the 
President  of  the  United  Stales.    The  delay  which  has  hith- 
erto procrastinated  a  reply  to  it  has  been  occasioned,  not  by 
any  abatement  of  the  interest,  on  the  part  of  the  govern 
ment  of  the  United  States,  with  which  it  regards  every  effort 
and  proposal  for  the  full  and  final  suppression  of  the  African 
slave  trade  ;  nor  by  any  hesitation  with  regard  to  the  decision 
which  had  already  been  formed  and  declared  respecting  the 
proposal  of  submitting  the  vessels  and  citizens  of  the  United 
States,  to  the  search  of  foreign  officers  upon  the  high  seas  ; 
but  by  an  expectation  that  measures  contemplated  by  the  na- 
tional House  of  Representatives,  might,  before  the  close  of 
the  session  of  Congress,  indicate  to  the  Executive  government 
of  this  country,  views  upon  which  it  w  ould  he  enabled  to  sub- 
stitute a  proposal  for  accomplishing  the  total  abolition  of  the 
tratTick,  more  effectual  to  its  purpose,  and  less  liable  to  ob- 
jections, on  other  accounts,  than  that  to  which  the  United 
States  cannot  be  reconciled,  of  granting  the  right  of  search. 
These  measures  were  matured  in  the  branch  of  the  Legisla- 
ture where  they  originated,  only  at  the  very  termination  of 
the  session  ;  and  the  Senate  had  not  the  opportunity  of  pro 


I 


124 


iiouncing  its  opinion  upon  them.  There  is,  however,  no 
doubt  on  the  mind  of  the  President,  that  they  would  have 
obtained  their  sanction  ;  and  he  has,  therefore,  no  hesitation 
in  acting,  so  far,  upon  the  expressed  and  almost  unanimous 
sense  of  the  House,  as  to  declare  the  willingness  of  this  Union 
to  join  with  other  nations  in  the  common  engagement  to  pur- 
sue and  to  punish  those  who  shall  continue  to  practise  this 
crime,  so  reprobated  by  the  just  and  humane  of  every  coun- 
try, as  enemies  of  the  human  race,  and  to  fix  them,  irrevoca- 
bly, in  the  class,  and  under  the  denomination,  of  pirates. 

I  have  the  honour  of  enclosing  herewith,  a  copy  of  the  4th 
and  5th  sections  of  a  law  of  the  United  States,  passed  on  the 
15th  of  May,  1820  ;  by  which  it  will  be  seen,  that  any  citi- 
zen of  the  United  States,  being  of  the  crew  or  ship's  company 
of  any  foreign  ship  or  vessel  engaged  in  the  slave  trade,  or 
any  person  whatever,  being  of  the  crew,  or  ship's  company  of 
any  ship  or  vessel,  owned  in  the  whole  or  part,  or  navigated 
for,  or  in  behalf  of,  any  citizen  or  citizens  of  the  United 
States,  participating  in  the  slave  trade,  is  declared  to  have 
incurred  the  penalties  of  piracy,  and  made  liable  to  atone  for 
the  crime  with  his  life.  The  legislation  of  a  single  nation  can 
go  no  further,  to  mark  its  abhorrence  of  this  traffick,  or  to 
deter  the  people  subject  to  its  laws,  from  contamination,  by 
the  practice  oi'  others. 

If  the  inference  in  your  letter  of  the  29th  of  January,  from 
the  documents  to  which  it  refers,  be  correct,  that  the  French 
flag  is  more  particularly  employed  to  cover  the  illicit  trade 
on  the  coast  of  Africa  ;  and  the  conjecture  likewise  suggested 
in  it,  that  this  flag  is  used  to  cover  the  property,  and  the  per- 
sons of  individuals  bound  to  other  allegiances,  be  well  found- 
ed, this  statute  makes  every  citizen  of  the  United  States, 
concerned  in  such  covered  traflick,  liable,  if  detected  in  it,  to 
suffer  an  ignominious  death.  The  code  of  Great  Britain 
herself,  has,  hitherto,  no  provision  of  equal  severity  in  the 
pursuit  of  her  subjects,  even  under  the  shelter  of  foreign 
banners,  and  to  the  covert  of  simulated  papers  and  pro- 
perty. 

I  am  directed  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  to  pro- 
pose, on  their  part,  the  adoption,  by  Great  Britain,  of  the 
principle  of  this  act  ;  and  to  offer  a  mutual  stipulation  to  an- 
nex the  penalties  of  piracy  to  the  offence  of  participating  in 
the  slave  trade,  by  the  citizens  or  subjects  of  the  respective 
parties.  This  proposal  is  made  as  a  substitute  for  that  of 
conceding  a  mutual  right  of  search,  and  of  a  trial  by  mixed 
*  ommissions,  which  would  be  rendered  useless  by  it.  Should 
it  meet  the  approbation  of  your  government,  it  may  be  sepa- 


125 


rately  urged  upon  the  adoption  of  France,  and  upon  the  other 
maritime  powers  of  Europe,  in  the  manner  most  conducive 
to  its  ultimate  success. 

I  have  the  honour  of  tendering  to  you  the  renewed  assur- 
ance of  my  distinguished  consideration. 

JOHN  QUINCY  ADAMS. 
The  Right  Hon.  Stratford  Canning, 

Envoy  Extraordinary ,  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary 

from  Great  Britain. 

Mr.  Canning  to  Mr.  Adams. 

Washington,  April  8th,  1823. 

SrR  :  I  have  received  your  official  letter,  dated  the  31st 
ult.  in  answer  to  that  which  I  had  the  honour  of  addressing  to 
you  on  the  29th  of  January  ;  and,  together  with  it,  a  trans- 
cript of  the  4th  and  5th  sections  of  an  act  of  Congress,  ap- 
proved the  15th  of  May,  1820. 

From  this  communication,  I  learn  that  the  government  of 
the  United  States  is  willing  to  join  with  other  powers  in  de- 
claring slave  trade  piracy,  under  the  law  of  nations,  and  treat- 
ing the  perpetrators  of  this  crime  as  enemies  of  the  human 
race;  that  the  American  government  is  further  prepared  to 
enter  into  a  formal  engagement  with  Great  Britain,  to  the 
effect  of  carrying  the  principle  just  specified  info  immediate 
operation,  reciprocally  as  to  their  respective  subjects  or  ci- 
tizens ;  and,  finally,  that  as  soon  as  this  proposal  shall  be 
accepted  by  the  British  government,  the  United  States  will 
be  ready  to  concur  in  pressing  its  adoption  on  the  court  of 
France,  and  other  maritime  powers,  in  such  manner  as  may 
afford  the  fairest  prospect  of  success. 

In  whatever  degree  his  Majesty's  government  may  be  dis- 
posed to  receive  this  offer,  as  an  acknowledgment  that  mea- 
sures more  efficient  than  any  now  generally  in  force,  are  in- 
dispensable for  the  suppression  of  the  slave  trade,  it  is  not 
difficult  to  foresee,  that  fresh  sentiments  of  regret  will  be 
excited,  by  the  unfavourable  view  which  the  American  ad- 
ministration continues  to  take  of  the  principal  measure  sug- 
gested on  the  part  of  his  Majesty.  That  measure,  you  are 
well  aware,  sir,  is  a  mutual  limited  concession  of  the  right 
of  search  ;  and  though,  as  I  have  frequently  stated,  his  Ma- 
jesty's government,  in  adopting  it  by  treaty  with  several  of 
the  maritime  powers,  and  in  recommending  it  with  earnest- 
ness to  the  acceptance  of  others,  particularly  of  the  United 
States,  have  never  opposed  the  consideration  of  any  other 
plan,  brought  forward  as  equally  effective  ;  yet,  having,  from 
the  first,  regarded  it  in  conscience  as  the  only  true  and  prac- 
tical cure  for  the  evil  in  question,  they  are  naturally  anxiou?. 


126 


from  a  deep  sense  ot'  duty,  to  place  it  in  its  proper  light,  and 
to  guard  it,  as  far  as  pos-ible,  from  prejudice  or  misconcep- 
tion. I,  therefore,  deem  it  of  importance,  on  this  occasion, 
to  bring  into  one  point  of  view,  the  several  limitations  under 
which  it  is  conceived,  that  the  right  of  search  might  be  so 
exercised,  as  to  clear  it  of  every  imaginable  difficulty.  To 
give  the  intended  limitations  their  just  value,  it  is  requisite 
to  bear  in  mind  the  particular  objections,  which  have  been 
urged  against  the  interchange  of  a  right  of  search  ;  and  for 
these,  in  their  full  extent,  1  can  hardly  be  wrong  in  referring 
to  your  previous  correspondence,  since  the  last  communica- 
tion which  1  have  received  from  you  on  this  subject,  though 
it  describes  the  impressions  of  the  American  government  as 
remaining  unaltered,  does  not  exhibit  any  argument  in  sup- 
port of  their  opinion. 

In  answer  to  that  class  of  objections  which  relate  to  the 
mixed  commissions  established  by  treaty,  between  his  Majes- 
ty and  the  courts  of  Lisbon,  Brussels,  and  Madrid,  it  may 
suffice  to  remind  you  of  the  intimation  conveyed  through 
Mr.  Rush,  in  the  early  part  of  hist  year,  which  I  had  subse- 
quently the  honour  of  confirming  at  the  Department  of  State. 
It  might  be  expected,  that  any  arrangement  for  the  adjudica- 
tion of  vessels  engaged  in  the  slave  trade,  independent  of 
those  tribunals,  would  either  leave  the  detained  vessels  to  be 
disposed  of  in  the  ordinary  way,  by  the  sentence  of  a  court 
of  admiralty  in  the  country  of  the  captor,  or  place  them 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  a  similar  court  in  the  country  to 
which  they  belonged.  On  the  former  supposition,  it  is  not 
to  be  anticipated,  that  the  United  States  could  hesitate  to  ad- 
mit the  jurisdiction  of  a  foreign  court  of  admiralty,  when 
sanctioned  by  mutual  agreement,  over  the  persons  and  pro- 
perty of  citizens,  abandoned  to  a  pursuit,  so  flagrantly  iniqui- 
tous, as  to  be  classed  by  the  legislature  of  their  country  with 
crimes  of  the  most  heinous  description,  and  which  the  Amer- 
ican government  has  declared  its  willingness  to  treat  as  piracy, 
under  the  law  of  nations.  Great  Britain,  for  her  part,  desires 
no  other  than  that  any  of  her  subjects,  who  so  far  defy  the 
laws,  and  dishonour  the  character  of  their  country,  as  to  en- 
gage in  a  trade  of  blood,  proscribed  not  more  by  the  acts  of 
the  legislature,  than  by  the  national  feeling,  should  be  detect- 
ed and  brought  to  justice,  even  by  foreign  hands,  and  from 
under  the  protection  of  her  flag.  In  either  of  the  supposed 
cases,  it  is  clear  that  all  impediments  connected  with  the  forms 
of  proceeding,  and  peculiar  construction  of  the  mixed  com- 
missions, would  be  completely  avoided  ;  and,  with  respect 
to  any  embarrassment  attending  the  disposal  of  condemned 
vessels,  and  liberated  slaves,  it  has  already  been  suggested  by 


127 


a  committee  of  the  House  of  Rejiresentative?,  that  the  pro- 
visions of  the  act  of  Congress/'passed  the  3rd  of  March. 
1819,  might  be  applied  to  them  without  difficulty  or  incon- 
venience. 

The  question  being  thus  relieved  from  all  connection  with 
the  mixed  commissions,  every  constitutional  objection,  arising 
eut  of  their  alleged  incompatibility  with  the  institutions  of 
the  United  States,  is  at  once  removed  from  consideration. — 
The  remaining  obstacles  may  be  reduced  under  the  following 
heads  :  the  unpopularity  of  the  right  of  search  in  this  coun- 
try ;  its  tendency,  if  mutually  employed,  to  produce  an  un- 
friendly collision  between  the  two  nations  ;  and  a  certain  sup- 
posed inequality,  which  would  attend  its  exercise. 

With  respect  to  any  doubt  of  its  utility,  created  by  a  per- 
suasion that  very  few  vessels,  under  American  colours,  have 
been  discovered,  for  some  time  past,  on  the  Coast  of  Africa, 
it  requires  but  little  reflection  to  prove,  that  no  conclusive 
inference  can  be  drawn  from  that  circumstance.  Not  to 
dwell  upon  the  extent  and  nature  of  the  slave  coast,  peculi- 
arly favourable  to  the  concealment  of  trading  vessels,  it  must 
be  remembered,  that  the  United  States  have  maintained,  at  no 
time,  a  greater  number  of  cruizers  than  two,  rarely  more 
than  one,  and  latterlj7,  during  several  months  together,  no  ship 
of  war,  whatever,  on  the  African  station.  As  late  as  the  14th 
of  January,  lo22,  it  was  stated,  officially ,  by  the  Governor 
of  Sierra  Leone,  "  that  the  tine  rivers  Nunez  and  Pongas. 
were  entirely  under  the  control  of  renegado  European  and 
American  slave  traders." 

But,  if  it  w  ere  even  manifest,  that  the  active  and  judicious 
exertions  of  your  naval  officers  in  that  quarter,  had  really  ef- 
fected a  total  disuse  of  the  American  flag  in  slave  trading,  the 
right  of  search  would  still  be  most  highly  desirable,  in  order 
to  secure  and  extend  so  important  an  advantage.  As  an  ex- 
ample, indeed,  to  other  powers,  particularly  to  France,  whose 
subjects,  encouraged  by  the  loose  and  equivocal  measures  of 
their  Government,  are  convicted,  by  a  mass  of  evidence 
*  too  strong  to  be  resisted,  of  being  concerned,  to  a  deplorable 
degree,  in  this  .atrocious  commerce,  the  concurrence  of  the 
United  States  in  a  system  of  which,  the  very  first  result  is  to 
augment  considerably  the  means  of  bringing  offenders  to  jus- 
tice, can  hardly  be  rated  at  too  high  a  value.  The  example 
which  they  are  called  upon  to  give,  is  not  merely  due  to  the 
claims  of  humanity  ;  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States, 
are  not  only  pledged  to  put  down  the  slave  trade,  within  the  lim 
its  of  their  immediate  jurisdiction  ;  they  are  also  bound,  by  sol* 
emn  obligations,  to  employ  their  utmost  endeav  ours  for  its  com- 
plete and  universal  extermination.    They  have  both  succeed 


128 


ed  in  their  great  and  benevojent  object,  so  far  as  the  rigour  of 
legislative  enactments  is  capable  of  counteracting  the  temp- 
tation of  enormous  profit,  which  stimulates  the  unprincipled 
avarice  of  the  slave  merchant.  It  is  the  facility  of  escaping 
detection,  and  not  any  want  of  severity  in  the  punishment 
attached  to  a  violation  of  their  laws,  which,  as  far  as  they  are 
concerned,  requires  a  more  decisive  remedy  ;  and,  a  remedy 
adequate  to  the  evil,  can  only  be  found  in  such  measures  as 
will  strip  the  illicit  trader  of  every  disguise,  and  throw  the 
chances  entirely  on  the  side  of  failure  in  his  inhuman  specu- 
lations. In  the  case  of  search,  at  sea,  the  means  unavoida^ 
bly  employed  in  the  commission  of  this  crime  are  fortunately, 
it  may  be  said  providentially,  of  such  a  nature,  as  in  general 
to  furnish  a  plain  substantial  body  of  proof,  for  the  conviction 
of  the  criminal. 

For  the  satisfaction  of  those  who  seriously  apprehend  that 
the  friendly  relations  subsisting  between  the  two  countries 
would  be  endangered,  by  the  admission  of  a  practice  which, 
in  their  opinion,  must  necessarily  produce  a  vexatious  exer- 
cise of  authority  on  the  part  of  the  searching  officer,  and  fre- 
quent complaints  on  that  of  the  merchant,  whose  vessel  is 
subjected  to  search,  with  the  supposed  aggravation  of  an  un- 
equal pressure  on  one  of  the  contracting  parties,  His  Majes- 
ty's Government  would,  doubtless,  agree  to  confine  the  right 
of  visit  to  a  fixed  number  of  cruizers  on  each  side,  restricted, 
in  the  performance  of  this  duty,  to  certain  specified  parts  of 
the  ocean;  and  acting  under  regulations,  prepared  by  mutual 
consent,  tor  the  purpose  of  preventing  abuses.  To  these 
important  limitations,  if  not  deemed  sufficient,  others  might 
easily  be  added  ;  the  arrangement,  for  example,  might  be 
temporary,  adopted,  in  the  first  instance,  for  a  short  period, 
and  only  to  be  continued  in  the  event  of  its  being  found,  on 
trial,  to  operate  in  a  satisfactory  manner.  With  this  under- 
standing, a  speedy  termination  would,  at  least,  be  ensured,  to 
any  objectionable  result,  attending  its  operation  ;  and,  for  the 
sake  of  interests  as  dear  to  humanity,  an  experiment,  of 
which  the  advantage,  as  to  its  main  object,  is  certain  and  » 
complete,  the  inconvenience,  contingent  and  momentary, 
might  surely  be  reconciled  with  a  due  regard  to  considerations 
exclusively  national. 

Supposing  that  inconvenience  should  be  found,  in  practice, 
to  press  unequally  on  either  of  the  two  parties,  Great  Bri- 
tain, and  not  the  United  States,  is  most  likely  to  have  cause  of 
complaint,  inasmuch  as  the  greater  extent  of  her  trade,  es-  ^ 
pecially  on  the  coast  of  Africa,  must  naturally  expose  her,  in 
a  greater  degree,  to  any  injurious  consequences  of  the  agree- 
ment.   Great  Britain,  however,  is  less  disposed  to  shrink 


129 


from  any  sacrifice,  by  which  she  can  materially  advrance  the 
sacred  cause  of  abolition,  than  to  lament,  and,  if  possible,  to 
dispel  those  mistaken  notions,  and  unfounded  jealousies, 
which  deprive  her  exertions  of  their  full  effect,  and  serve, 
but  too  successfully,  to  protract  the  existence  of  a  mischief, 
which  all  unite  in  deploring.  In  point  of  principle,  the  hon- 
our of  neither  flag  would  be  tarnished,  by  having  its  protec- 
tion withdrawn  for  a  season,  from  those  who  perpetrate  the 
atrocities  of  the  slave  trade  ;  and  permit  me,  sir,  to  add,  that 
what  Great  Britain  is  ready  to  allow,  in  a  matter  so  vital  to 
her  pride  and  to  her  power,  may  surely  be  allowed,  recipro- 
cally by  any  other  nation,  however  scrupulous  in  the  main- 
tenance of  its  maritime  independence. 

That  an  agreement  between  our  respective  cabinets,  found- 
ed on  a  mutual  right  of  search,  thus  guarded  and  explained, 
would  fail  to  obtain  the  consent  of  the  American  Senate,  or 
that  a  nation  so  enquiringand  enlightened  as  the  United  States, 
would  confound  the  proposed  measure  with  that  practice, 
which  afforded  matter  of  painful  contention  during  the  last 
wars  in  Europe,  is  what  I  am  extremely  unwilling  to  antici- 
pate. The  two  objects  are,  in  fact,  so  totally  distinct  from 
each  other,  in  principle,  purpose,  and  mode  of  execution, 
that  the  proposal  of  the  British  Government  need  only  be 
presented  to  the  examination,  I  will  not  say  of  a  select  and 
experienced  assembly,  but  of  the  people  at  large,  in  order  to 
be  seen  in*its  true  bearings. 

So  far  is  the  British  proposal  from  tending  to  commit  the 
American  government  on  the  long  disputed  question  of  the 
belligerant  right  of  search,  that,  if  it  may  be  supposed  (o  touch 
that  question  at  all,  it  appears  rather  to  operate  in  the  sense 
of  the  United  States,  than  unfavourably  for  their  view  of  the 
subject. 

The  officers  entrusted  on  either  side  with  the  duty  of  ex- 
amining suspected  vessels,  would  necessarily  act  under  in- 
structions calculated  to  ensure  a  perfect  harmony  between 
the  principle  and  the  application  of  this  conceded  right,  nor 
is  it  to  be  feared  that  they  would  presume,  in  any  case,  to 
extend  the  visit  thus  authorized  at  sea,  beyond  the  particular 
and  specified  object  to  which  it  is  meant  to  be  confined. 

I  have  the  honour  to  request,  sir,  that  you  will  again  as- 
rept  the  assurance  of  my  highest  consideration. 

STRATFORD  CANNING 

Hon.  John  Quincy  Adams, 

Secretary  of  State,  $*c. 

R 


.Mr.  Adams  to  Mr.  Canning. 

Department  of  State,  Washington,  24th  June,  1&23-. 

Sir  :  In  the  letter  which  I  had  the  honour  of  addressing 
you,  on  the  31st  of  March  last,  a  proposal  was  made,  to  he 
Submitted  to  the  consideration  of  your  government,  that  the 
principle  assumed  in  an  act  of  the  Congress  of  the  United 
States,  of  15th  May,  1820,  of  considering  and  punishing  the 
African  slave  trade  as  piracy,  should  be  adopted  as  the  basis 
of  a  stipulation  by  treaty  between  the  United  States  and 
Great  Britain  ;  and  to  be  urged  separately  upon  the  adoption 
of  France,  and  upon  the  other  maritime  nations  of  Europe, 
in  the  manner  most  conducive  to  its  ultimate  success.  It  was 
observed  that  this  offer  was  presented  as  a  substitute  for  that 
of  conceding  a  mutual  right  of  search,  and  a  trial  by  mixed 
commissions,  to  which  the  United  States  could  not  be  recon- 
ciled, and  which  would  be  rendered  useless  by  it. 

Your  letter  of  the  8th  of  April,  to  which  I  have  now  the 
honour  to  reply,  intimates  that  his  majesty's  government  will 
be  disposed  to  receive  this  offer  only  as  an  acknowledgment 
that  measures  more  efficient  than  any  now  generally  in  force, 
are  indispensable  for  the  suppression  of  the  slave  trade  ;  and 
that,  although  they  have  never  opposed  the  consideration  of 
any  other  plan,  brought  forward  as  equally  effective,  yet, having 
from  the  first,  regarded  a  mutual  limited  concession  of  the 
riffht  of  search,  as  the  only  true  and  practical  cure  for  the 
evil,  their  prevailing  sentiment  will  be  of  regret  at  the  unfa- 
vourable view  still  taken  of  it  by  the  government  of  the  United 
States.  Your  letter,  therefore,  urges  are-consideration  of  the 
proposal  for  this  mutual  concession  of  the  right  of  search, 
and  by  presenting  important  modifications  of  the  proposal 
heretofore  made,  removes  some  of  the  objections  which  had 
been  taken  to  it,  as  insuperable,  while  it  offers  argumentative 
answers  to  the  others  which  had  been  disclosed  in  my  previ- 
ous communications  on  this  subject  to  you. 

In  the  treaties  of  Great  Britain  with  Spain,  Portugal,  and 
the  Netherlands,  for  the  suppression  of  the  slave  trade,  here- 
tofore communicated,  with  the  invitation  to  the  United  States 
to  enter  into  similar  engagements,  three  principles  were  in- 
volved, to  neither  of  which  the  government  of  the  United 
States  felt  itself  at  liberty  to  accede.  The  hist  was  the  mu- 
tual concession  of  the  right  of  search  and  capture,  in  time  of 
peace,  over  merchant  vessels  on  the  coast  of  Africa.  The 
second  was,  the  exercise  of  that  right  even  over  vessels  un- 
der convoy  of  the  public  officers  of  their  own  nation  ;  and  the 
third  was  the  trial  of  the  captured  v  essels  by  mixed  commis- 
sions in  colonial  settlements,  under  no  subordination  to  the 


lyrdinnry  judicial  tribunals  of  the  country  to  which  the  party 
brought  before  them  for  trial  should  belong.  In  the  course 
of  the  correspondence  relating  to  these  proposals,  it  has  been 
suggested  that  a  substitute  for  the  trial  by  mixed  commissions 
might  be  agreed  to,  and  in  your  letter  of  the  8th  of  April,  an 
expectation  is  authorized,  that  an  arrangement  for  the  adjudi- 
cation of  the  vessels  detained,  might  leave  them  to  be  disposed 
of  in  the  ordinary  way,  by  the  sentence  of  a  court  of  admiralty 
in  the  country  of  the  captor,  or  place  them  under  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  a  similar  court  in  the  country  to  which  they  belonged  ; 
to  the  former  alternative  of  which  you  anticipate  the  unhesi- 
tating admission  of  the  United  Stales,  in  consideration  of  the 
aggravated  nature  of  the  crime,  as  acknowledged  by  their 
laws,  which  would  be  thus  submitted  to  a  foreign  jurisdiction. 
But  it  was  precisely  because  the  jurisdiction  was  foreign  that 
the  objection  was  taken  to  the  trial  by  mixed  commissions  ; 
and  if  it  transcended  the  constitutional  authority  of  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  United  States,  to  subject  the  persons,  proper- 
ty, and  reputation  of  their  citizens,  to  the  decisions  of  a  court 
partly  composed  of  tiieir  own  countrymen,  it  might  seem 
needless  to  remark,  that  the  constitutional  objection  could 
not  diminish,  in  proportion  as  its  cause  should  increase,  or 
that  the  power  incompetent  to  make  American  citizens  ame- 
nable to  a  court  consisting  one  half  of  foreigners,  should  be 
adequate  to  place  their  liberty,  their  fortune,  and  their  fame, 
at  the  disposal  of  tribunals  entirely  Jorei^n.  I  would  further 
remark,  that  the  sentence  ef  a  court  of  Admiralty  in  the  coun- 
try of  the  captor,  is  not  the  ordinary  way  by  which  the 
merchant  vessels  of  one  nation,  taken  on  the  high  seas,  by 
the  officers  of  another,  are  tried  in  time  of  peace.  There  is, 
in  the  ordinary  way,  no  right  whatever  existing,  to  take,  to 
search,  or  even  to  board  them  ;  and,  I  take  this  occasion  to 
express  the  great  satisfaction  with  which  we  have  seen  this 
principle  solemnly  recognised  by  the  recent  decision  of  a 
British  court  of  admiralty.  Nor  is  the  aggravation  of  the 
crime  for  the  trial  of  which  a  tribunal  may  be  instituted,  a 
cogent  motive  for  assenting  to  the  principle  of  subjecting 
American  citizens,  their  rights  and  interests  to  the  decisiou 
of  foreign  courts  ;  for,  although  Great  Britain,  as  you  re- 
mark, may  be  willing  to  abandon  those  of  her  subjects  who 
defy  the  laws  and  tarnish  the  character  of  their  country,  by 
participating  in  this  trade,  to  the  dispensation  of  justice  even 
by  foreign  bunds,  the  United  States  are  bound  to  remember 
that  the  power  which  enables  a  court  to  try  the  guilty,  au- 
thorizes them  also  to  pronounce  upon  the  fate  of  the  innocent; 
and  that  the  very  question  ol  guilt  or  innocence,  is  that  w  hich 
the  protecting  care  of  their  constitution  has  reserved  for  the 


132 


citizens  of  this  Union,  to  the  exclusive  decision  of  their  own 
countrymen.  This  principle  has  not  heen  departed  from  by 
the  statute  which  has  branded  the  slave  trader  with  the  name, 
and  doomed  him  to  the  punishment,  of  a  pirate.  The  dis- 
tinction between  piracy  by  the  law  of  nations,  and  piracy  by 
statute,  is  well  known  and  understood  in  Gr<jat  Britain  ;  and 
while  the  former  subjects  the  transgressor  guilty  of  it,  to 
the  jurisdiction  of  any  and  every  country,  into  which  he  may 
be  brought,  or  wherein  he  may  be  taken,  the  latter  forms  a  part 
of  the  municipal  criminal  code  of  the  country  where  it  is 
enacted,  and  can  be  tried  only  by  its  own  courts. 

There  remains  the  suggestion,  that  the  slave  trader  cap- 
tured under  the  mutual  concession  of  the  power  to  make  the 
capture,  might  be  delivered  over  to  the  jurisdiction  of  hi3 
own  country.  This  arrangement  would  not  be  liable  to  the 
constitutional  objection,  which  must  ever  apply  to  the  juris- 
diction of  the  mixed  commission,  or  of  the  admiralty  courts 
of  the  captor  ;  and  if  your  note  is  to  be  understood  as  pre- 
senting it  in  the  character  of  an  alternative,  to  which  your 
government  is  disposed  to  accede,  I  am  authorized  to  say, 
that  the  President  considers  it  as  .sufficient  to  remove  the  in- 
superable obstacle  which  had  precluded  the  assent  of  the  Uni- 
ted States  to  the  former  proposals  of  your  government,  re- 
sulting from  the  character  and  composition  of  the  tribunals,  to 
whom  the  question  of  guilt  or  innocence  was  to  be  committed. 

The  objections  to  the  right  of  search,  as  incident  to  the 
right  of  detention  and  capture,  are  also  in  a  very  considera- 
ble degree  removed,  by  the  introduction  of  the  principle, 
that  neither  of  them  should  be  exercised,  but  under  the  re- 
sponsibility of  the  captor,  to  the  tribunals  of  the  captured 
party,  in  damages  and  costs.  This  guard  against  the  abuses 
of  a  power  so  liable  to  abuse,  would  be  indispensable  ;  but, 
if  the  provisions  necessary  (or  securing  effectually  its  prac- 
tical operation,  would  reduce  the  right  itself  to  a  power 
merely  nominal,  the  stipulation  of  it  in  a  treaty,  would  serve 
rather  to  mark  the  sacrifice  of  a  great  and  precious  principle, 
than  to  attain  the  end  for  which  it  would  be  given  up. 

In  the  objections  heretofore  disclosed  to  the  concession 
desired,  of  the  mutual  and  qualified  right  of  search,  the  prin- 
cipal stress  was  laid  upon  the  repugnance  which  such  a  con- 
cession would  meet  in  the  public  feeling  of  this  country,  and 
of  those  to  whom  its  interests  are  entrusted  in  the  department 
of  its  Government,  the  sanction  of  which  is  required  for  the 
ratification  of  treaties.  The  irritating  tendency  of  the  prac  - 
tice of  search,  and  the  inequalities  of  its  probable  operation, 
were  slightly  noticed,  and  have  been  contested  in  argument, 
or  met  by  propositions  of  possible  palliatives,  or  remedies 


133 


lor  anticipated  abuses,  in  your  letter.  But  the  source  an. I 
foundation  of  all  these  objections,  was,  in  our  former  corres- 
pondence, scarcely  mentioned,  and  never  discussed.  They 
consist  in  the  nature  of  the  right  of  search,  at  sea,  which,  as 
recognised  or  tolerated  by  the  usage  of  nations,  is  a  right 
exclusively  of  tcrrr,  never  exercised,  but  by  an  outrage  upon 
the  rights  of  peace.  It  is  an  act  analogous  to  that  of  search- 
ing the  dwelling-houses  of  individuals  on  the  land.  The  ves- 
sel of  the  navigator  is  his  dwelling-house  ;  and  like  that,  in 
the  sentiment  of  every  people  that  cherishes  the  blessings  cf 
personal  liberty  and  security,  ought  to  be  a  sanctuary,  invio- 
lable to  the  hand  of  power,  unless  upon  the  most  unequivo- 
cal public  necessity,  and  under  the  most  rigorous  personal 
responsibility  of  the  intruder.  Search  at  sea,  as  recognised 
by  nil  maritime  nations,  is  confined  to  the  single  object  of 
hnding  and  taking  contraband  of  war.  By  the  law  of  nature, 
when  two  nations  conflict  together  in  war,  a  third,  rcrriaimns 
neutral,  retains  all  its  rights  of  peace,  and  friendly  intercourse 
with  both.  Each  belligerant,  indeed,  acquires,  by  war,  the 
right  of  preventing  a  third  party  from  administering  to  his  en- 
emy the  direct  and  immediate  materials  of  war;  and,  as  in- 
cidental to  this  right,  that  of  searching  the  merchant  vessels 
of  the  neutral  on  the  high  seas,  to  find  them.  Even  thus 
limited,  it  is  an  act  of  power,  which  nothing  but  necessity 
can  justify,  inasmuch  as  it  cannot  be  exercised,  but  by  car- 
ryingthe  evils  of  war  into  the  abodes  of  peace  ;  and,  by  vis- 
iting the  innocent  with  some  of  the  penalties  of  guilt.  Among 
the  modern  maritime  nations,  an  usage  has  crept  in,  not 
founded  upon  the  law  of  nature,  never  universally  admitted, 
often  successfully  resisted,  and  against  which,  all  have  occa- 
sionally borne  testimony,  by  renouncing  it  in  treaties,  of  ex- 
tending this  practice  of  search  and  seizure,  to  all  the  pro- 
perty of  the  enemy  in  the  vessel  of  the  friend.  This  prac- 
tice was,  in  its  origin,  evidently  an  abusive  and  wrongful  e\ 
tension  of  the  search  for  contraband  ;  effected  by  the  belli- 
gerant, because  he  was  armed  ;  submitted  to  by  the  neutral; 
because  he  was  defenceless  ;  and  acquiesced  in  by  his  sove- 
reign, for  the  s;ike  of  preserving  a  remnant  of  peace,  rather 
than  become  himself  a  party  to  the  war.  Having  thus,  oc- 
casional!}, been  practised  by  all,  as  belligerants,  and  submit- 
ted to  by  all  as  neutrals,  it  has  acquired  the  force  of  an  usage, 
which,  at  the  occurrence  of  every  war,  the  belligerant  may 
enforce  or  Relinquish,  and  which  the  neutral  may  suffer  or 
resist,  at  their  respective  options. 

This  search  for,  and  seizure  of,  the  property  of  an  enemy 
in  the  vessel  of  a  friend,  is  a  relict  of  the  barbarous  warfare 
of  barbarous  ages  ;  the  cruel,  and,  for  the  most  part,  now 


134 


exploded  system  of  private  war.  As  it  concerns  the  enemy 
himself,  it  is  inconsistent  with  that  mitigated  usage  of  modern 
wars,  which  respects  the  private  property  of  individuals  on 
the  land.  As  relates  to  the  neutral,  it  is  a  violation  of  his 
natural  right  to  pursue,  unmolested,  his  peaceful  commercial 
intercourse  with  his  friend.  Invidious  as  is  its  character,  in 
both  these  aspects,  it  has  other  essential  characteristics,  equal- 
ly obnoxious.  It  is  an  uncontrolled  exercise  of  authority,  by 
a  man  in  arms,  over  a  man  without  defence  ;  by  an  officer  of 
one  nation  over  the  citizen  of  another;  hy  a  man  intent  upon 
the  annoyance  of  his  enemy,  responsible  for  the  act  of  search 
to  no  tribunal,  and  always  prompted  to  balance  the  disappoint- 
ment of  a  fruitless  search,  by  the  abusive  exercise  of  his 
power,  and  to  punish  the  neutral,  for  the  very  clearness  of 
his  neutrality.  It  has,  in  short,  all  the  features  of  unbri- 
dled power,  stimulated  by  hostile  and  unsocial  passions. 

I  forbear  to  enlarge  upon  the  further  extension  of  this  prac- 
tice, by  referring  to  injuries,  which  the  United  States  expe- 
rienced, when  neutral,  in  a  case  of  vital  importance  ;  because, 
in  digesting  a  plan  for  the  attainment  of  an  object,  which  both 
nations  have  equally  at  heart,  it  is  desirable  to  avoid  every 
topic  which  may  excite  painful  sensations  on  either  side.  I 
have  adverted  to  the  interest  in  question,  from  necessity, 
it  being  one  which  could  not  be  lost  sight  of  in  the  present 
discussion. 

Such  being  the  view  taken  of  the- right  of  search,  as  recog- 
nised by  the  law  of  nations,  and  exercised  by  belligerent 
powers,  it  is  due  to  candour  to  state,  that  my  government  has 
an  insuperable  objection  to  its  extension  by  treaty,  in  any 
manner  whatever,  lest  it  might  lead  to  consequences  still 
more  injurious  to  the  United  States,  and  especially  in  the  cir- 
cumstance alluded  to.  That  the  proposed  extension  will " 
operate  in  time  of  peace,  and  derive  its  sanction  from  com- 
pact, present  no  inducements  to  its  adoption.  On  the  con- 
trary, they  form  strong  objections  to  it.  Ever)'  extension  of 
the  right  of  search,  on  the  principles  of  that  right,  is  disap- 
proved. If  the  freedom  of  the  sea  is  abridged  by  compact 
for  any  new7  purpose,  the  example  may  lead  to  other  changes. 
And  if  its  operation  is  extended  to  a  time  of  peace,  as  well  as 
of  war,  a  new  system  will  be  commenced  for  the  dominion  of 
the  sea,  which  may  eventually,  especially  by  the  abuses  into 
which  it  may  lead,  confound  all  distinction  of  time  and  cir- 
cumstances, of  peace  and  of  war.  and  of  rights  applicable  to 
each  state. 

The  United  States  have,  on  great  consideration,  thought  it 
most  advisable  to  consider  this  trade  as  piracy,  and  to  treat 


135 


it  as  sucb.  They  have  thought  that  the  trade  itself  might, 
with  great  propriety,  be  placed  in  that  class  of  offences  ;  and 
that,  by  placing  it  there,  we  should  more  effectually  accom- 
plish the  great  object  of  suppressing  the  trade,  than  by  any 
other  measure  which  we  could  adopt. 

To  this  measure,  none  of  the  objections  which  have  been 
urged  against  the  extension  of  the  right  of  search,  appear  to 
be  applicable.  Piracy  being  an  offence  against  the  human  race, 
has  its  well  known  incidents  of  capture  and  punishment  by 
death ,  by  the  people  and  tribunals  of  every  country.  By  mak- 
ing this  trade  piratical,  it  is  the  nature  of  the  crime  which 
draws  after  it  the  necessary  consequences  of  capture  and  pun- 
ishment. The  United  States  have  done  this,  by  an  act  of 
Congress,  in  relation  to  themselves.  They  have  also  evinced 
their  willingness,  and  expressed  their  desire,  that  the  change 
should  become  general,  by  the  consent  of  every  other  power, 
whereby  it  would  be  made  the  law  of  nations.  Till  then, 
they  are  bound,  by  the  injunctions  of  their  constitution,  to 
execute  it,  so  far  as  respects  the  punishment  of  their  own 
citizens,  by  their  own  tribunals.  They  consider  themselves, 
however,  at  liberty,  until  that  consent  is  obtained,  toco-ope- 
rate to  a  certain  extent,  with  other  powers,  to  ensure  a  more 
complete  effect  to  their  respective  acts  ;  they  placing  them- 
selves, severally,  on  the  same  ground,  by  legislative  provi- 
sions. It  is  in  this  spirit,  and  for  this  purpose,  that  1  have 
made  to  you  the  proposition  under  consideration. 

By  making  the  slave  trade  piratical,  and  attaching  to  it  the 
punishment,  as  well  as  the  odium,  incident  to  that  crime,  it 
is  believed  that  much  has  been  done  by  the  United  States,  to 
suppress  it,  in  their  vessels,  and  by  their  citizens.  If  your 
government  would  unite  in  this  policy,  it  is  not  doubted  that 
the  happiest  consequences  would  result  from  it.  The  exam- 
ple of  Great  Britain,  in  a  manner  so  decisive,  could  not  fail  to 
attract  the  attention,  and  command  the  respect,  of  all  her 
European  neighbours.  It  is  the  opinion  of  the  United  States, 
that  no  measure,  ^hort  of  that  proposed,  will  accomplish  the 
object  so  much  desired  :  and  it  is  the  earnest  desire  of  my 
government,  that  the  government  of  his  Britannic  majesty  may 
co-operate  in  carrying  it  into  effect. 

1  pray  you,  sir.  to  accept  the  renewed  assurances  of  my 
distinguished  consideration. 

JOHN  qUINCY  ADAMS. 

The  Right  Hon.  Stratford  Canning, 

Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary 

from  Great  JHriten'n, 


136 


Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Air.  Jidams  to  Mr.  Nelson^  dated 
Department  of  State,  Washington,  28th  April,  182.J. 

"  A  resolution  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  at  the  last 
session  of  Congress,  requests  the  President  to  enter  upon, 
and  to  prosecute,  from  time  to  time,  such  negotiations  with 
the  several  maritime  powers  of  Europe,  and  America,  as  he 
may  deem  expedient,  for  the  eilectual  abolition  of  the  African 
slave  trade,  and  its  ultimate  denunciation  as  piracy,  under 
the  law  of  nations,  by  the  consent  of  the  civilized  world. 
Von  will  t;;ke  an  early  opportunity  to  make  known  this  dis- 
position to  the  Spanish  irovernment ;  communicating  to  them 
copies  of  the  fourth  and  fifth  sections  of  the  act  of  3d  March, 
1819,  which  declares  this  trafiick  piratical  when  pursued  by 
citizens  of  the  United  States;  and  you  will  express  the  \vil- 
lingness  of  the  American  government  to  enter  into  negotiations 
for  the  purpose  of  declaring  it  so,  by  the  common  consent  of 
nations." 


Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Air.  Adams  to  Mr.  Rodney,  dated 
Department  of  Stale,  Washington,  l7th  May,  1823. 

k>  A  resolution  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  at  the  late 
session  of  Congress,  requests  the  President  of  the  United 
States  to  enter  upon,  and  prosecute,  from  time  to  time,  such 
negotiations,  with  the  several  maritime  powers  of  Europe, 
and  America,  as  he  may  deem  expedient  for  the  effectual 
abolition  of  the  African  slave  trade,  and  its  ultimate  denun- 
ciation, as  piracy  under  the  law  of  nations,  by  the  consent 
of  the  civilized  world. 

"  In  pursuance  of  the  object,  proposed  by  this  resolution, 
you  will  communicate  to  the  government  of  Buenos  Ayres, 
copies  of  the  several  acts  of  Congress  for  the  suppression  of' 
the  slave  trade,  of  the  20th  of  April,  1818  ;  (U.  S.  Laws, 
vol.  6,  page  325  ;)  3d  March,  1819,  (page  435  ;)  and  of  15th 
May,  1820,  (page  529  ;)  pointing  their  attention,  particularly, 
to  the  fourth  and  fifth  sections  of  the  last,  which  subject  to 
the  penalties  of  piracy  every  citizen  of  the  United  States, 
guilty  of  active  participation  in  the  African  slave  trade.  The 
adoption  of  this  principle,  in  the  legislative  code  of  all  the 
maritime  nations,  would,  of  itself,  probably,  suffice  for  the 
suppression  of  the  trade.  P>ut,  as  it  would  yet  not  authorize 
the  armed  vessels  of  any  one  nation  to  capture  those  of  ano- 
ther, engaged  in  the  trade,  a  stipulation  to  that  effect  might 
be  agreed  to,  by  treaty,  conditioned  that  the  captor  shall  de- 
liver over  the  captured  party  to  the  tribunals  of  his  own 
country  for  trial  ;  to  which  should  be  added,  some  guard  of 
responsibility  upon  the  capturing  officer,  to  prevent  the  abu- 
sive exercise  of  his  power." 


137 


Extract  from  the  General  Instructions  to  Richard  C.  Anderson., 
appointed  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  the  Republic  of  Colom  - 
bia, dated 

Department  of  State,  Washington,  May  27,  1823. 
"  A  resolution  of  the  House  cf  Representatives,  at  the  late 
session  of  Congress,  requests  the  President  of  the  United 
States  to  enter  upon,  and  to  prosecute,  from  time  to  time,  such 
negotiations  with  the  several  maritime  powers  of  Europe  and 
America  as  he  may  deem  expedient  for  the  effectual  abolition 
of  the  African  slave  trade,  and  its  ultimate  denunciation  as 
piracy,  under  the  law  of  nations,  by  the  consent  of  the  civil- 
ized world. 

"  In  pursuance  of  this  object,  you  will  communicate  to  the 
Colombian  government  copies  of  the  several  acts  of  our  Con- 
gress for  the  suppression  of  the  slave  trade,  of  the  20th  of 
April,  1818,  (U.S.  Laws,  vol.  vi.  p.  325,)  of  3d  March,  1819, 
(p.  435,)  and  of  15th  May,  1820,  (p.  529,)  pointing  their  at- 
tention particularly  to  the  4th  and  5th  sections  of  the  last, 
which  subject  to  the  penalties  of  piracy,  every  citizen  of  the 
United  States  guilty  of  active  participation  in  the  African 
slave  trade.  The  adoption  of  this  principle  in  the  legislative 
code  of  all  the  maritime  nations,  would,  of  itself,  probably, 
suffice  for  the  suppression  of  the  trade  ;  but,  as  it  would  yet 
not  authorize  the  armed  vessels  of  any  one  nation  to  capture 
those  of  another,  engaged  in  the  trade,  a  stipulation  to  that 
effect  may  be  agreed  to  by  the  treaty,  conditioned  that  the 
captor  shall  deliver  over  the  captured  party  to  the  tribunals 
of  his  own  country  for  trial  ;  to  which  should  be  added  some 
guard  of  responsibility  upon  the  capturing  officer,  to  pre- 
vent the  abusive  exercise  of  his  powers," 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  Air.  Adams  to  Mr.  Rush,  dated 
Department  of  State,  Washington,  June  24,  1S23. 

"  A  resolution  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  almost 
unanimously  adopted  at  the  close  of  the  last  session  of  Con- 
gress, requested  "the  President  of  the  United  States  to  en- 
ter upon  and  to  prosecute,  from  time  to  time,  such  negotiations 
with  the  several  maritime  powers  of  Europe  and  America,  as 
he  may  deem  expedient,  for  the  effectual  abolition  of  the  Af- 
rican slave  trade,  and  its  ultimate  denunciation  as  piracy,  un- 
der the  law  of  nations,  by  the  consent  of  the  civilized  world. 

"  At  the  two  preceding  sessions  of  Congress,  committees  of 
the  House  had  proposed  a  resolution,  expressed  in  more  gen- 
eral terms,  that  1  the  President  of  the  United  States  be  re- 
quested to  enter  into  such  arrangements  as  he  may  deem  suit- 

S 


138 


able  and  proper,  with  one  or  more  of  Hie  maritime  powers 
of  Europe,  for  the  effectual  abolition  of  the  African  slave 
trade  ;'  and  this  resolution  had,  in  each  case,  been  the  con- 
clusion of  a  report,  recommending  that  the  United  States 
should  accede  to  the  proposal  of  a  mutual  and  qualified  con- 
«  cession  of  the  right  of  search.  The  sentiments  of  the  committee 
were,  in  this  respect,  different  from  those  which  had 
been  expressed  by  the  Executive  Department  of  the  Govern- 
ment, in  its  previous  correspondence  with  that  of  Great  Bri- 
tain. No  decision,  by  the  House  of  Representatives,  was 
made  upon  these  resolutions,  proposed  at  the  preceding  ses- 
sion ;  but,  upon  the  adoption  of  that  which  did  pass,  at  the 
last  session,  it  was  well  ascertained  that  the  sentiments  of  the 
House,  in  regard  to  the  right  of  search,  coincided  with  those 
of  the  Executive  :  for  they  explicitly  rejected  an  amendment 
which  was  moved  to  the  resolution,  and  which  would  have 
expressed  an  opinion  of  the  House  favourable  to  the  mutual 
concession  of  that  right.* 

"  You  have  been  fully  informed  of  the  correspondence  be- 
tween the  governments  of  the  United  States  and  of  Great 
Britain,  concerning  the  suppression  of  the  slave  trade,  here- 
tofore ;  and  have  been,  from  time  to  time,  effectually  instru- 
mental to  it  yourself.  You  are  aware  of  the  grounds  upon 
which  the  proposals,  on  the  part  of  Great  Britain,  that  the 
United  States  should  accede  to  the  stipulations  similar  to 
those  which  she  had  succeeded  in  obtaining  from  Spain,  Por- 
tugal, and  the  Netherlands,  were  on  our  part  declined. 

"  The  subject  was  resumed  by  the  British  minister  resi- 
ding here,  Mr.  S.  Canning,  a  short  time  before  the  decease 
of  the  Marquis  of  Londonderry.     It  was  suggested,  that. 

*  The  House  of  Representatives  did  not  on  the  occasion  referred  to  by 
die  Secretary  of  State,  reject  any  proposition  to  exchange  this  right  of 
search. 

The  resolution  adopted  by  the  House,  as  the  Secretary  demonstrates, 
involved  the  right  of  capture,  and  consequently  the  right  to  search  the 
pirate.  While  the  resolution  was  under  consideration,  and  after  its 
mover,  Mr.  Mercer,  had  delivered  an  argument  in  support  of  it,  which 
distinctly  traced  the  consequences  of  its  adoption,  and  the  evils  it  was 
designed  to  cure,  among  which  was  distinctly  enumerated  the  absence 
of  the  right  of  mutual  search,  and  the  defects  of  the  mixed  com- 
mission courts  of  Great  Britain,  Governor  Wright  offered  a  clause 
which  was  deemed  by  the  mover  of  the  resolution,  and  the  House,  unne- 
cessary, because  the  principle  it  contained  was  involved,  as  the  Secre- 
tary himself  admits,  in  the  resolution  itself. 

To  obviate  farther  debate,  at  so  late  a  stage  of  the  session  of  Con- 
gress, upon  a  subject  which  seemed  to  require  none,  the  House  almost 
unanimously  sustained  the  previous  question,  and  the  resolution  was. 
then,  as  unanimously  adopted. 


139 


since  the  total  disappearance  of  the  British  and  American 
$ags,  as  well  as  of  those  of  the  nations  which  had  consented 
to  put  the  execution  of  their  lows  against  the  trade  under  the 
superintendence  of  British  naval  officers,  it  continued  to 
flourish  under  that  of  France  ;  that  her  laws,  though  in  word 
and  appearance  equally  severe  in  proscribing  the  traffic,  were 
so  remiss  in  the  essential  point  of  execution,  that  their  effect 
was  rather  to  encourage,  than  to  suppress  it  ;  and  the  Ame- 
rican Government  was  urged  to  join  in  friendly  representa- 
tions to  that  of  France,  by  instructing  the  minister  of  the 
United  States  at  Paris,  to  concur  in  those  which  the  British 
ambassador  at  that  court  had  been  charged  with  making,  to 
ensure  a  more  vigilant  fulfilment  of  the  prohibitory  laws. 
This  invitation,  at  that  time  given  only  in  oral  conference, 
was  also  declined,  from  an  impression  that  such  a  concurrence 
might  give  umbrage  to  the  French  government,  and  tend  rath- 
er to  irritation,  than  to  the  accomplishment  of  the  object  for 
which  it  was  desired.  Mr.  Gallatin  was,  nevertheless,  in- 
structed separately  to  bring  the  subject  to  the  notice  of  the 
French  government  ;  and  did  so,  by  a  note  communicating  to 
them  copies  of  the  recent  laws  of  the  United  States  for  the 
suppression  of  the  trade,  and  particularly  of  that  by  which  it 
has  subjected  every  citizen  of  the  United  States,  who,  alter 
the  passage  of  the  law,  should  be  polluted  with  it,  to  the  pe- 
nalties of  piracy. 

"  On  the  29th  of  January  last,  Mr.  Canning,  in  a  letter  to 
this  Department,  repeated  the  invitation  of  a  joint  and  con- 
current remonstrance,  to  be  made  by  the  British  ambassador, 
and  our  minister  in  France  ;  and  at  the  same  time  called,  with 
great  earnestness,  upon  the  government  of  the  United  States, 
either  to  accede  to  the  principle  of  the  mutual  and  qualified 
right  of  search,  emphatically  pronounced,  in  his  belief,  to 
be  the  only  effectual  measure  devised,  or  likely  to  be  devised, 
1  for  the  accomplishment  of  the  end,  or  to  bring  forward  some 
other  scheme  of  concert,'  which  it  again  declared  the  readiness 
of  his  Majesty's  minister  to  examine  with  respect  and  can- 
dour, as  a  substitute  for  that  of  the  British  cabinet. 

However  discouraging  this  call  for  an  alternative  might 
be,  thus  coupled  as  it  was  with  so  decisive  a  declaration  of 
belief  that  no  effectual  alternative  had  been,  or  was  likely  to 
be,  devised,  an  opportunity  was  offered,  in  pursuauce  of  the 
resolution  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  adopted  at  the 
cfbse  of  the  late  Session  of  Congress,  for  proposing  a  substi- 
tute, in  our  belief  more  effectual  than  the  right  of  search  could 
be,  for  the  total  and  final  suppression  of  this  nefarious  trade 
and  less  liable  either  to  objections  of  principle,  or  to  abuses  ot 
practice. 


140 


£t  This  proposition  was  accordingly  made,  in  my  letter  to 
Mr-  Canning  of  31st  of  March  last,  to  which  his  letter  of  the 
8th  of  April  was  the  answer.  In  this  answer  Mr.  Canning 
barely  notices  our  proposition,  to  express  an  opinion  that  his 
Government  will  see  in  it  nothing  but  an  acknowledgment  of 
the  necessity  of  further  and  more  effectual  measures,  and 
then  proceeds  with  an  elaborate  review  of  all  the  objections 
which,  in  the  previous  correspondence  between  the  two  go- 
vernments, had  been  taken  on  our  part  to  the  British  con- 
nected proposal  of  a  mutual  right  of  search,  and  a  trial  by  mix- 
ed commissions.  Our  objection  had  been  of  two  kinds  ;  first, 
to  the  mixed  commissions,  as  inconsistent  with  our  Constitu- 
tion, and  secondly,  to  the  right  of  search,  as  a  dangerous  pre- 
cedent, liable  to  abuse,  and  odious  to  the  feelings  and  recol- 
lections of  our  country. 

"  In  this  letter  of  Mr.  Canning,  the  proposal  of  trial  by 
mixed  commissions  is  formally  withdrawn,  and  an  alternative 
presented  as  practicable,  one  side  of  which  only,  and  that  the 
inadmissible  side,  is  distinctly  offered,  namely,  of  triiil  by  the 
Courts  of  the  captor  The  other  side  of  the  alternative  would, 
indeed,  remove  our  constitutional  objection,  and  with  it  might 
furnish  the  means  of  removing  the  principal  inherent  objec- 
tion to  the  concession  of  the  right  of  search,  that  by  which 
the  searching  officer  is  under  no  responsible  control  for 
that  act. 

"  But,  in  our  previous  correspondence,  our  strong  repug- 
nance to  the  right  of  search  had  been  adverted  to  merely  as 
matter  of  fact,  without  tracing  it  to  its  source,  or  referring  to 
its  causes.  The  object  of  this  forbearance  had  been  to  avoid 
all  unnecessary  collision  with  feelings  and  opinions  which 
were  not  the  same  on  the  part  of  Great  Britain,  and  upon  ours. 
They  had  been  willingly  left  undiscussed.  This  letter  of 
Mr.  Canning,  however,  professedly  reviewing  all  the  previous 
correspondence,  for  the  removal  or  avoidance  of  our  objec- 
tions, and  contesting  the  analogy  between  the  right  of  search, 
as  it  had  been  found  obnoxious  to  us,  and  as  now  proposed 
for  our  adoption  by  formal  compact,  I  have  been  under  the 
absolute  necessity  of  pointing  out  the  analogies  really  exist- 
ing between  them,  and  of  shewing  that,  as  right  of  search, 
independent  of  the  right  of  capture,  and  irresponsible  or  res- 
ponsible only  to  the  tribunals  of  the  captor,  it  is,  as  proposed, 
essentially,  liable  to  the  same  objections  as  it  had  been,  when 
exercised  as  a  bell ige rant  right.  Its  encroaching  charactef, 
founded  in  its  nature  as  an  irresponsible  exercise  of  force, 
and  exemplified  in  its  extension  from  search  for  contraband 
of  war,  to  search  for  enemies'  property,  and  thence  to  search 
for  men  of  the  searcher's  own  nation,  was  thus  necessarily 


141  , 

brought  into  view,  and  connected  the  exhibition  of  the  evils 
inherent  in  the  practice,  with  that  of  the  abuses  which  have 
been  found  inseparable  from  it. 

We  have  declared  the  slave  trade,  so  far  as  it  may  be  pur- 
sued by  citizens  of  the  United  States,  piracy  ;  and,  as  such, 
made  it  punishable  with  death.  The  resolution  of  the  House 
of  Representatives  recommends  negotiation,  to  obtain  the  con- 
sent of  the  civilized  world  to  recognize  it  as  piracy,  under  the 
law  of  nations.  One  of  the  properties  of  that  description  of 
piracies  is,  that  those  who  are  guilty  of  it  may  betaken  upon 
the  high  seas,  and  tried  by  the  courts  of  every  nation.  But 
by  the  prevailing  customary  law,  they  are  tried  only  by  the 
tribunals  of  the  nation  to  which  the  vessel  belongs  in  which 
the  piracy  was  committed.  The  crime  itself  has  been,  how- 
ever, in  modern  times,  of  so  rare  occurrence,  that  there  is 
no  uniformity  in  the  laws  of  the  European  nations  with  re- 
gard to  this  point,  of  which  we  have  had  remarkable  and  de- 
cisive proof  within  these  five  years,  in  the  case  of  piracy  and 
murder,  committed  onboard  the  schooner  Plattsburg,  a  mer- 
chant vessel  of  the  United  States.  Nearly  the  whole  of  her 
crew  were  implicated  in  the  crime,  which  was  committed  on 
the  high  seas.  They  carried  the  vessel  into  Christiansand, 
N  orway,  there  abandoned  her,  and  dispersed  ;  three  of  them 
were  taken  up  in  Denmark,  one  in  Sweden,  one  at  Dantzig 
in  Prussia,  and  one  in  France.  Those  taken  up  in  Denmaik 
and  in  Sweden  were  delivered  up  to  officers  of  the  United 
States,  brought  to  this  country,  tried,  convicted,  and  execut- 
ed. The  man  taken  at  Dantzig,  was,  by  consent  of  the 
Prussian  Government,  sent  to  Elsineur,  and  there  confronted 
with  those  taken  in  Denmark.  The  evidence  against  him  on 
the  examination  was  decisive  ;  but,  as  he  persisted  in  the 
refusal  to  confess  his  guilt,  the  Prussian  Government,  bound 
by  an  established  maxim  of  their  municipal  law,  declined 
either  to  deliver  him  up,  or  to  try  him  themselves,  but  sent 
him  back  to  Dantzig,  there  to  remain  imprisoned  for  life. 
The  French  Government,  upon  advisement  of  the  highest  ju- 
dicial authority  of  the  kingdom,  declined,  also,  either  to  try 
the  man  taken  up  there,  or  to  deliver  him  up,  unless  upon 
proof  of  his  guilt  being  produced  against  him,  at  the  place 
where  he  was  confined  ;  with  which  condition,  it  not  having 
been  in  our  power  to  comply,  the  man  remained  there,  also 
in  prison,  presumably  for  life.  From  these  incidents  it  is  ap- 
parent that  there  is  no  uniformity  in  the  modes  of  trial,  to 
which  piracy,  by  the  law  of  nations,  is  subjected  in  different 
European  countries  ;  but  that  the  trial  itself  is  considered  as 
the  right  and  the  duty  only  of  the  nation  to  w  hich  the  vessel 
belongs,  on  board  of  which  the  piracy  was  committed.  This 


was,  however,  a  piracy  committed  on  board  of  a  vessel  by  its 
own  crew.  External  piracies,  or  piracies  committed  by,  and 
from  one  vessel  against  another,  may  be  tried  by  the  courts 
of  any  country,  but  are  more  usually  tried  by  those  of  the 
country,  whose  vessels  have  been  the  sufferers  of  the  piracy, 
as  many  of  the  Cuba  pirates  have  been  tried  in  the  British 
West  India  Islands,  and  some  of  them  in  our  courts. 

This  principle  we  should  wish  to  introduce  into  the  system, 
by  which  the  slave  trade  should  be  recognized  as  piracy  un- 
der the  law  of  nations  ;  namely,  that,  although  seizable  by  the 
officers  and  authorities  of  every  nation,  they  should  be  tria- 
ble only  by  the  tribunals  of  the  country  of  the  slave  trading 
vessel.  This  provision  is  indispensable  to  guard  the  innocent 
navigator  against  vexatious  detentions,  and  all  the  evils  of  ar- 
bitrary search.  In  committing  to  foreign  officers  the  power, 
even  in  a  case  of  conventional  piracy,  of  arresting,  confining, 
and  delivering  over  for  trial,  a  citizen  of  the  United  States, 
we  feel  the  necessity  of  guarding  his  rights  from  all  abuses, 
and  from  the  application  of  any  laws  of  a  country  other  than 
his  own. 

The  draft  of  a  Convention  is  herewith  enclosed,  which,  if 
the  British  Government  should  agree  to  treat  upon  this  sub- 
ject on  the  basis  of  a  Legislative  prohibition  of  the  slave  trade 
by  both  parties,  under  the  penalties  of  piracy,  you  are  autho- 
rized to  propose  and  to  conclude.  These  articles,  however, 
are  not  offered,  to  the  exclusion  of  others  which  may  be 
proposed  on  the  part  of  the  British  Government,  nor  is  any 
one  of  them,  excepting  the  first,  to  be  insisted  on  as  indispen- 
sable, if  others  equally  adapted  to  answer  their  purposes 
should  be  proposed.  It  is  only  from  the  consideration  of  the 
crime  in  the  character  of  piracy,  that  we  can  admit  the  visita- 
tion of  our  merchant  vessels  by  foreign  officers  for  any  pur- 
pose whatever,  and  in  that  case  only  under  the  most  effective 
responsibility  of  the  officer  for  the  act  of  visitation  itself,  and 
for  every  thing  done  under  it. 

If  the  sentiments  of  the  British  Government  should  be 
averse  to  the  principle  of  declaring  the  trade  itself,  by  a  Le- 
gislative act,  piratical,  you  will  not  propose,  or  communi- 
cate to  them,  the  enclosed  project  of  convention.  Its  objects, 
you  will  distinctly  understand,  are  two-fold  :  to  carry  into  ef- 
fect the  resolution  of  the  House  of  Representatives  ;  and  to 
meet,  explicitly  and  fully,  the  call  so  earnestly  urged  by  the 
British  Government,  that,  in  declining  the  proposals  pressed 
by  them  upon  us,  of  conceding  a  mutual  and  qualified  right  of 
search,  we  should  offer  a  substitute,  for  their  consideration. 
The  substitute,  by  declaring  the  crime  piracy,  carries  with  it 
the  right  of  search  for  the  pirates,  existing  in  the  very  nature 


143 


of  the  crime.  But,  to  the  concession  of  the  right  of  search, 
distinct  from  the  denomination  of  the  crime,  our  objections 
remain  in  all  their  original  force. 

It  has  been  intimated  by  Mr.  S.  Canning,  that  the  sugges- 
tion itself,  to  the  British  Government,  of  the  propriety  of 
their  passing  a  Legislative  act,  might  excite  in  them  some  re- 
pugnancy to  it.  We  should  regret  the  excitement  of  this 
feeling,  which  the  very  nature  of  the  negotiation  seems  to 
foreclose.  Besides  the  legislative  enactments  which  have 
virtually  been  pressed  upon  us,  by  all  the  invitatious  to  con- 
cede the  right  of  search,  and  to  subject  our  citizens  to  trial 
for  violations  of  our  own  laws,  by  foreign  tribunals,  Great 
Britain,  in  almost  all  her  slave  trade  treaties,  has  required, 
and  obtained,  express  stipulations,  for  the  enactment  of  prohi- 
bitory laws,  by  France,  Spain,  Portugal,  and  the  Netherlands. 
It  was  not  expected  that  she  would  receive  with  reluctance, 
herself,  a  mere  invitation  to  that  which  she  had  freely  and 
expressly  required  from  others.  Still,  if  the  sentiment  should 
exist,  we  would  forbear  pressing  it  to  the  point  of  irritation, 
by  importunity.  You  will,  in  the  first  instance,  simply  state, 
that,  if  the  British  Government  is  prepared  to  proclaim  the 
slave  trade  piracy,  by  statute,  you  are  authorized  to  propose, 
and  to  conclude,  a  Convention,  by  which  the  mutual  co-ope- 
ration of  the  naval  force  of  Great  Britain  and  of  the  United 
States  may  be  secured,  for  carrying  into  effect  the  law,  which 
on  that  contingency,  will  be  common  to  both.  Should  the 
obstacle  to  the  preliminary  prove  insuperable,  you  will  refer 
the  objections,  on  the  part  of  the  British  cabinet,  to  this  Go- 
vernment, for  consideration. 

By  the  loose  information  hitherto  communicated  in  the  pub- 
lic journals,  it  would  seem  that  the  proposition  for  recogniz- 
ing the  slave  trade  as  piracy,  by  the  Law  of  Nations,  was  dis- 
cussed at  the  Congress  of  Verona.  We  are  expecting  the 
communication  of  the  papers  relating  to  this  subject,  promis- 
ed by  Lord  Liverpool  to  be  laid  before  Parliament.  Hereto- 
fore, although  the  United  States  have  been  much  solicited 
and  urged  to  concur  in  the  measures  of  Great  Britain  and  her 
allies,  for  the  suppression  of  the  trade,  they  have  been  al- 
ways communicated  to  us  as  purposes  consummated,  to  which 
the  accession  of  the  United  States  was  desired.  From  the 
general  policy  of  avoiding  to  intermeddle  in  European  affairs, 
we  have  acquiesced  in  this  course  of  proceeding  ;  but,  to 
carry  fully  into  effect  the  late  resolution  of  the  House  of  Re- 
presentatives, and  to  pursue  the  discussions,  hereafter,  with 
Great  Britain  herself,  whether  upon  her  proposals  or  upon 
ours,  it  is  obviously  proper,  that  communication  should  be 
made  to  us  of  the  progrecs  of  European  negotiation,  for  ac - 


144 


complishing  the  common  purpose,  while  it  is  in  deliberation 
If  we  are  to  co  operate  in  the  result,  it  is  just  that  we  should 
be  consulted,  at  least,  with  regard  to  the  means  which  we  are 
invited  to  adopt." 


SUPPRESSION  OF  THE  SLAVE  TRADE. 

A  Convention  for  the  suppression  of  Piracy,  committed  by  the 
African  Slave  Trade. 

Article  1.  The  two  high  contracting  powers,  having  each 
separately,  by  its  own  laws,  subjected  their  subjects  and  citi- 
zens, who  may  be  convicted  of  carrying  on  the  illicit  traffick 
in  slaves  on  the  coast  of  Africa,  to  the  penalties  of  piracy,  do 
hereby  agree  to  use  their  influence,  respectively,  with  the 
other  maritime  and  civilized  nations  of  the  world,  to  the  end 
that  the  said  African  slave  trade  may  be  recognized,  and  de- 
clared to  be,  piracy,  under  the  law  of  nations. 

Article  2.  It  is  agreed  by  the  two  high  contracting  parties, 
that  the  commanders  and  commissioned  officers  of  either  na- 
tion, duly  authorized  under  the  regulations  and  instructions 
of  their  respective  governments,  to  cruize  on  the  coasts  of 
Africa  of  America,  or  of  the  West  Indies,  for  the  suppres- 
sion of  the  slave  trade,  shall  be  authorized,  under  the  condi- 
tions, limitations,  and  restrictions,  hereinafter  mentioned,  to 
capture, aud  deliver  over  to  the  duly  authorized  and  commis- 
sioned officers  of  the  other,  any  ship  or  vessel  carrying  on  such 
illicit  tra  ffick  in  slaves,  tinder  the  flag  of  the  said  other  nation, or 
for  the  account  of  their  subjects'  or  citizens,  to  he  sent  in  for  trial 
and  adjudication  by  the  tribunals  of  tjte  country  to  which  such 
slave  ship  or  vessel  shall  belong.  And  the  said  commanders 
and  commissioned  officers  shall  be  further  authorized  to  car- 
ry, or  send  in,  any  such  slave  trading  ship,  so  by  them  cap- 
tured, into  the  ports  of  the  country  to  which  such  slave  trad- 
ing ship  shall  belong,  for  trial  by  the  tribunals,  and  conformably 
to  the  laws,  of  the  said  country.  But  the  slave  ship,  so  captured, 
shall  not  be  sent  into  the  ports,  or  tried  by  the  tribunals  of 
the  captor. 

Article  3.  If  any  naval  commander,  or  commissioned  officer 
of  the  United  States  of  America,  shall,  on  the  high  seas  or 
any  where  without  the  territorial  jurisdiction  of  the  said 
Slates,  board,  or  cause  to  be  boarded,  any  merchant  vessel 
of  Great  Britain,  and  visit  the  same  as  a  slave  trader,  or  on 
suspicion  of  her  being  engaged  in  carrying  on  the  illicit  traf- 
fick in  slaves,  in  every  case,  whether  the  said  visited  vessel 
shall  be  captured  and  delivered  over,  or  sent  into  the  ports 
of  her  own  country  for  trial  and  adjudication,  or  not,  the 
boarding  officer  shall  deliver  to  the  master  or  commander  of 


145 


the  visited  vessel  a  certificate  in  writing,  signed  by  the  said 
boarding  officer  with  his  name,  and  the  addition  of  his  rank 
in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  and  the  name  of  the  public 
vessel  of  the  United  States,  and  of  her  commander,  by  whose 
order  the  said  visit  shall  have  been  ordered  ;  and  the  said 
certificate  shall  declare,  that  the  only  object  of  the  said  visit 
is  to  ascertain  whether  the  said  British  merchant  vessel  is 
engaged  in  the  slave  trade,  or  not  ;  and  if  found  to  be  so  en* 
gaged,  to  take,  and  deliver  her  over  to  the  officers,  or  the 
tribunals  of  her  own  nation,  for  trial  and  adjudication.  And 
the  commander  of  the  said  public  vessel  of  the  United  States 
shall,  when  he  delivers  her  over  to  the  officers  or  tribunals 
of  Great  Britain,  deliver  all  the  papers  found  on  board  of  the 
captured  vessel,  indicating  her  national  character,  and  the 
objects  of  her  voyage,  and  with  them  a  like  certificate  of  vi- 
sitation, in  writing,  signed  by  his  name,  with  the  addition  of 
his  rank  in  the  navy  of  the  United  States,  and  the  name  of  the 
public  vessel  commanded  by  him,  together  with  the  name 
aud  rank  of  the  boarding  officer,  by  whom  the  said  visit  was 
made.    This  certificate  shall,  also,  specify  all  the  papers  re- 
ceived from  the  master  of  the  vessel  detained,  or  visited,  or 
found  on  board  the  vessel,  and  shall  contain  an  authentic  de- 
claration, exhibiting  the  state  in  which  he  found  the  vessel 
detained,  and  the  changes,  if  any,  which  have  taken  place  in 
it,  and  the  number  of  slaves,  if  any,  found  on  board  at  the 
moment  of  detention.    And  the  same  duties  herein  described 
shall  devolve  upon  every  commander,  or  commissioned  offi- 
cer, of  the  Royal  Navy  of  Great  Britain,  by  whom,  or  by 
whose  order,  any  merchant  vessel  of  the  United  States,  or 
navigating  under  their  flag,  shall  be  visited  for  the  said  pur- 
poses, and  upon  the  boarding  officer  by  whom  the  visit  shall 
be  effected,  on  the  high  seas,  or  any  where  without  the  ter- 
ritorial jurisdiction  of  Great  Britain. 

Article  4.  No  merchant  vessel  of  either  ol  the  contract- 
ing parties,  under  the  convoy  of  a  public  vessel  of  her  own 
nation,  shall,  under  any  circumstances  whatever,  be  captured, 
or  visited  by,  or  from,  any  public  vessel  of  the  other  nation, 
as  being  engaged,  or  on  suspicion  of  being  engaged,  in  the 
slave  trade. 

Article  5.  No  search  shall  be  made  by,  or  under  the 
orders  of,  the  commander  or  boarding  officer  of  any  public 
vessel  of  either  parly  visiting  any  merchant  vessel  of  the 
other,  as  being  engaged,  or  under  suspicion  of  being  engaged, 
in  the  slave  trade,  excepting  such  as  may  be  necessary  to 
ascertain  if  there  be  slaves  on  board  for  the  purposes  of  the 
said  traffic,  or  other  proof  that  the  said  vessel  is  so  engaged. 
No  person  shall  be  taken  out  of  the  said  visited  or  captured 


merchant  vessel  of  either  nation,  by  the  commanding  oflicef 
of  the  visiting  vessel,  or  under  his  order.  Nor  shall  any  part 
of  the  cargo  of  the  said  visited  vessel  be  removed  out  of  her, 
until  delivered  over  to  the  officers,  or  tribunals,  of  her  own 
nation.  »■  "li  ivW?* 

Article  6.  When  a  merchant  vessel  of  either  nation 
shall  be  captured,  as  being  engaged  in  the  slave  trade,  by  any 
commander,  or  commissioned  officer,  of  the  Navy  of  the  other 
,  nation,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  commander  of  any  public 
ship  of  the  Navy  of  the  nation  to  which  the  captured  vessel 
shall  belong,  upon  the.  offer  thereof  being  made  to  him  by  the 
commander  of  the  capturing  vessel,  to  receive  into  his  cus- 
tody the  vessel  so  captured,  and  to  carry,  or  send,  the  same 
into  the  ports  of  his  own  country,  for  trial  and  adjudication. 
And  at  the  time  of  the  delivery  of  the  said  vessel,  an  authen- 
tic declaration  shall  be  drawn  up,  in  triplicates,  signed  by  both 
the  commanders  of  the  delivering  and  of  the  receiving  ves- 
sels, one  copy  of  which  shall  be  kept  by  each  of  them,  stating 
the  circumstances  of  the  delivery  ;  the  condition  of  the  ves- 
sel captured,  at  the  time  of  the  delivery;  the  number  of  slaves, 
if  any,  on  board  of  her  ;  a  list  of  all  the  papers  received,  or 
found  on  board  of  her  at  the  time  of  capture,  and  delivered 
over  with  her,  and  the  names  of  the  master,  or  commander, 
of  the  captured  vessel,  and  of  every  person  on  board  of  her, 
oth  r  than  the  slaves,  at  the  said  time  of  delivery  ;  and  the 
third  copy  of  the  said  declaration  shall  be  transmitted  with 
the  said  captured  vessel,  and  the  papers  found  on  board  of 
her,  to  one  of  the  ports  of  the  country  to  which  the  said  cap- 
tured vessel  shall  belong,  to  be  produced  before  the  tribunal 
appointed,  or  authorized,  to  decide  upon  the  said  capture  ; 
and  the  commander  of  the  said  capturing  vessel  shall  be  au- 
thorized to  send  the  boarding  officer,  and  one  or  two  of  his 
crew,  with  the  said  captured  vessel,  to  appear  as  witnesses 
of  the  facts  in  relation  to  her  capture  and  detention,  before 
the  said  tribunal.  The  reasonable  expenses  of  which  wit- 
nesses, in  proceeding  to  the  place  of  trial,  during  their  neces- 
sary detention  there,  and  for  their  return  to  their  own  coun- 
try, or  to  rejoin  their  station  in  its  service,  shall  be  allowed 
by  the  tribunal  of  trial  ;  and  in  case  of  the  condemnation  of 
the  captured  vessel,  be  defrayed  from  the  proceeds  of  the 
Sale  thereof,  and  in  case  of  the  acquittal  of  the  said  vessel, 
they  shall  be  paid  by  the  government  of  the  capturing  officer. 

Article  7.  The  commander  or  commissioned  officer,  of 
the  Navy  of  either  of  the  contracting  parties,  having  captured 
a  merchant  vessel  of  the  other  as  being  engaged  in  the  slave 
trade,  if  there  be  no  public  vessel  of  the  nation  to  which  the 
said  captured  ressel  belongs,  cruizing  upon  the  same  station. 


147 


io  the  commander  of  whom  the  said  captured  vessel  may  be 
delivered  over  as  stipulated  in  the  preceding  article,  shall 
carry  or  send  the  said  captured  vessel  to  some  convenient 
port  of  her  own  country,  there  to  be  delivered  up  to  the  com- 
petent tribunal,  for  trial  and  adjudication.  And  the  said  cap- 
tured  vessel  shall  there  be  libelled,  in  the  name  and  behalf  of 
the  captors  ;  and  in  case  of  the  condemnation  of  the  said  ves- 
sel, the  proceeds  of  the  sale  thereof  and  of  her  cargo,  if  also 
condemned,  shall  be  paid  to  the  commander  of  the  said  cap- 
turing vessel,  for  the  benefit  of  the  captors  ;  to  be  distributed 
according  to  the  established  rules  of  the  service  of  the  nation 
to  which  such  capturing  vessel  shall  belong,  for  the  distribu- 
tion of  prize  money. 

Article  8.  T.'ie  captain,  or  commander  and  crew,  of  the  said 
vessel  so  captured  and  sent  in  for  trial  and  adjudication,  shall 
oe  proceeded  against  conformably  to  the  laws  of  the  country, 
whereinto  they  shall  be  so  brought  upon  the  charge  of  piracy, 
by  being"  engaged  in  the,  African  slave  trade  ;  and  the  cap- 
tain, or  commander,  the  boarding  officer,  and  other  persons 
belonging  to  the  capturing  vessel,  shall  be  competent  wit- 
nesses to  the  facts  relating  to  the  said  charge  and  to  the  cap- 
ture of  the  said  vessel,  to  which  they  shall  be  personally 
knowing  :  But  every  such  witness,  upon  the  criminal  trial  for 
piracy,  shall  be  liable  to  be  challenged  by  the  person  accused, 
and  set  aside  as  incompetent,  unless  he  shall  release  and  re- 
nounce all  his  individual  claim  to  any  part  of  the  prize  money, 
upon  the  condemnation  of  the  vessel  and  cargo. 

Articled.  It  is  agreed  between  the  high  contracting  par- 
ties, that  the  right  of  visiting,  capturing,  and  delivering  over 
lor  trial,  the  vessels  engaged  in  the  African  slave  trade,  and 
assuming  their  respective  flags,  is  mutually  conceded  to  the 
officers  of  their  respective  Navies,  on  the  consideration  that 
they  have,  by  their  respective  laws,  declared  their  citizens 
and  subjects,  actively  participating  in  the  said  traffic,  guilty  of 
the  crime  of  piracy. 

That  no  part  of  this  Convention  shall  be  so  construed  as 
to  authorize  the  detention,  search,  or  visitation,  of  the  mer- 
chant vessels  of  either  nation,  by  the  public  officers  of  the 
Navy  of  the  other,  except  vessels  engaged  in  the  African 
slave  trade,  or  for  any  other  purpose  whatever  than  that  of 
seising  and  delivering  up  the  persons  and  vessels  concerned 
in  that  traffic,  for  trial  and  adjudication,  by  the  tribunals  and 
laws  of  their  own  country. 

Article  10.  It  is  further  agreed,  that  this  right  of  visiting, 
detaining,  and  delivering  over  for  trial,  vessels  engaged  in  the 
shve  trade,  shall  be  exercised  only  by  the  commissioned  of- 
ficers of  the  Navy  of  the  parties,  respectively,  furnished  with 


148 


instructions  from  their  respective  governments,  for  the  exe- 
cution of  their  respective  laws  for  the  suppression  oi  the 
slave  trade.  That  the  boarding  officer,  and  the  captain,  or 
commander,  of  the  vessel  exercising  these  rights,  or  either 
of  them,  shall  be  personally  responsible  in  damages  and  costs 
to  the  master  and  owners  of  every  merchant  vessel  so  by 
them  delivered  over,  detained,  or  visited,  for  every  vexatious 
or  abusive  exercise  of  the  right.  In  the  case  of  every  vessel 
delivered  over,  as  herein  stipulated,  for  trial,  the  tribunal 
shall  be  competent  to  receive  the  complaint  of  the  master, 
owner,  or  owners,  or  of  any  person  on  board  of  such  captur- 
ed vessel,  or  interested  in  the  property  of  her  cargo  at  the 
time  of  her  detention,  and  on  suitable  proof  of  such  vexatious 
or  abusive  detention  or  visitation,  to  award  reasonable  dama- 
ges and  costs  to  the  sufferers,  to  be  paid  by  the  said  command^ 
ing  or  boarding  officer,  or  either  of  them,  so  charged  with 
vexatious  or  abusive  detention,  or  visit.  And  the  high  con- 
tracting parties  agree,  that  their  respective  governments, 
shall,  in  every  such  case,  cause  payment  to  be  made  of  all 
such  damages  and  costs  so  awarded,  to  the  persons  so  entitled 
to  receive  them,  within  twelve  months  from  the  date  of  such 
award.  And  if  any  case  of  such  vexatious  or  abusive  deten- 
tion, or  visit,  should  occur,  in  which  the  vessel  detained  or 
visited  shall  not  be  delivered  over  for  trial  and  adjudication, 
as  herein  provided,  the  commander  and  boarding  officer  by 
whom  such  vexatious  and  abusive  detention,  or  visit,  shall 
have  been  made,  shall,  also,  be  responsible  in  costs  and  dam- 
ages to  the  sufferers,  upon  complaint  before  the  competent 
Admiralty  Court  of  the  country  of  the  said  commander  and 
boarding  officer.  And  the  respective  governments  shall,  in 
like  manner,  cause  payment  to  be  made  of  any  damages  and 
costs  awarded  by  said  court,  within  twelve  months  from  the 
date  of  the  award. 

Article  11.  A  copy  of  this  Convention,  and  of  the  laws 
of  the  two  countries  actually  in  force,  for  the  prohibition  and 
suppression  of  the  African  slave  trade,  shall  be  furnished  to 
every  commander  of  the  public  vessels,  instructed  to  carry 
into  effect  such  prohibition.  And  in  case  any  such  command- 
ing officer  of  the  Navy  of  the  United  States,  or  of  Great  Bri- 
tain, shall  deviate  in  any  respect  from  the  dispositions  of  this 
treaty,  and  from  the  instructions  of  his  government,  conform- 
able to  ft,  the  government  which  shall  conceive  itself  to  be 
wronged  by  such  conduct,  shall  be  entitled  to  demand  repara- 
tion ;  and  in  such  case  the  government  of  the  nation,  to  the 
service  of  which  he  may  belong,  binds  itself  to  cause  inquiry 
to  be  made  into  the  subject  of  the  complaint,  and  to  inflict  up- 
on hW|,  if  he  be  found  to  have  deserved  it,  a  punishment 


149 


proportioned  to  the  transgression  which  may  have  been  conv 
Bitted. 

Article  12.  The  present  treaty,  consisting  of  ar- 
ticles, shall  be  ratified,  and  the  ratifications  exchanged  within 
one  year  from  this  date,  or  sooner,  if  possible. 

In  witness  whereof,  the  respective  Plenipotentiaries  have 
signed  the  same,  and  thereunto  affixed  their  seals. 

Done  at  — ,  the  day  of  ,  in  the  year  of  our 

Lord, 


Mr.  Adams  to  Mr.  Middleton. — No.  17. 

Department  of  Slate,  Washington,  28th  July,  1823. 

Sir  :  At  the  close  of  the  last  Session  of  Congress,  a  reso- 
lution was  adopted  by  the  House  of  Representatives,  almost 
unanimously,  requesting  "  the  President  of  the  United  States 
to  enter  upon,  and  to  prosecute,  from  time  to  time,  such  nego- 
tiations with  the  several  maritime  powers  of  Europe  and 
America,  as  he  may  deem  expedient,  for  the  effectual  aboli- 
tion of  the  African  slave  trade,  and  its  ultimate  denunciation 
as  piracy,  under  the  law  of  nations,  by  the  consent  of  the  civi- 
lized world." 

In  pursuance  of  this  resolution,  instructions  for  carrying  it 
into  effect  have  been  given  to  the  Ministers  of  the  United 
States,  destined  to  the  Republics  of  Colombia  and  of  Buenos 
Ayres,  and  to  the  Minister  who  has  recently  departed  for 
Spain.  But,  as  a  negotiation  for  co-operation  to  effect  the 
suppression  of  the  African  slave  trade,  had  already  been  com- 
menced with  Great  Britain,  a  special  instruction  upon  the 
subject  was  forwarded  to  Mr.  Rush,  together  with  a  full  pow  - 
er, and  a  draft  ofa  Convention  to  be  proposed,  in  substance, 
to  that  government,  and  which  he  has  been  authorized  to 
conclude. 

A  copy  of  that  instruction  and  draft  are  herewith  enclosed;; 
the  general  terms  of  which  you  will  communicate,  at  such 
time,  and  in  such  manner,  to  the  Imperial  Russian  Govern 
ment,  as  you  shall  think  proper. 

You  will,  also,  communicate  to  them  the  purport  of  the  re- 
solution of  the  House  of  Representatives,  above  cited,  and 
copies  of  the  laws  of  the  United  States  prohibiting  the  slave 
trade.  You  will  particularly  invite  their  attention  to  the  two 
sections  of  the  Act  of  the  loth  May,  1820,  by  which  this  of- 
fence, when  committed  by  citizens  of  the  United  States,  is 
subjected  to  the  penalties  of  piracy. 

.The  proposal  that  this  principle  should  be  recognized  by 
the  general  consent  of  civilized  nations,  recommended  by  the 
resolution  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  appears  to  be 


150 


substantially  the  same  with  that  made  by  Great  Britain  at  the 
Congress  of  Verona.  It  was  not  acceded  to  by  any  one  of  the 
other  powers  there  assembled,  and  the  conferences  on  this 
subject  terminated  thereby  a  mere  renewal  of  the  joint  de- 
claration against  the  traffic,  of  the  Congress  at  Vienna.  So 
long  as  the  trade  shall  not  be  recognized  as  piracy  by  the  law 
of  nations,  we  cannot,  according  to  our  Constitution,  subject 
our  citizens  to  trial  for  being  engaged  in  it,  by  any  tribunal 
other  than  those  of  the  United  States. 

The  admission  of  the  crime  as  piracy  by  the  law  of  nations, 
would  seem  necessarily  to  subject  the  perpetrators  of  it  to 
capture,  by  the  aimed  force  of  every  nation.  And  this  might 
endanger  the  lawful  commerce  of  the  maritime  nations,  by 
subjecting  them  to  the  abuses  of  vexatious  searches,  without 
some  special  provision  to  guard  against  them. 

This  is  the  object  of  the  stipulations  proposed  in  the  draft 
herewith  transmitted  ;  requiring  that  all  vessels  of  one  na- 
tion which  may  be  captured,  as  slave  traders,  by  the  cruizers 
of  another,  should  be  delivered  over  for  trial,  to  the  tribunals 
of  their  own  country. 

You  will  see  that  Mr.  Rush  is  instructed  to  correspond  with 
you  upon  this  subject.  If  the  draft  of  the  articles  enclosed 
should  lead  to  the  conclusion  of  a  Convention  between  the 
United  States  and  Great  Britain,  a  communication  of  it  to  the 
Russian  Government  will  be  made  as  soon  as  possible,  and 
we  shall  propose  that  his  Imperial  Majesty's  accession  to  it,  if 
agreeable  to  him,  shall  be  invited. 

In  the  mean  time  you  will  informally  suggest  to  his  minis- 
try, that  it  will  be  the  desire  of  the  Government  of  the  United 
States  to  proceed  in  this  matter,  in  perfect  good  understand- 
ing and  harmony  with  them  :  and  you  will  farther  intimate 
that,  as  this  has  now  become  a  general  concern  of  the  whole 
civilized  world,  and  as  Great  Britain  is  negotiating,  jointly  and 
severally,  with  each  and  every  of  her  allies  in  Europe,  apart, 
and  again  with  them  all  together,  while  she  is  also  separately 
treating  with  us,  we  wish  it  to  be  considered  whether  it  would 
not  be  expedient  on  all  sides,  that  communication  should  be 
made  to  us  of  all  the  jointly  concerted  measures  while  they 
are  mere  proposals  ;  and  not  that  the  knowledge  of  them 
should  be  withheld  from  us,  until  they  are  matured  into  posi- 
tive treaties. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  Sir,  your  very  humble  and  obe- 
dient servant,  JOHN  qUINCY  ADAMS. 

Henry  Middleton, 

Envoy  Extraordinary ,  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  of  the 
United  States,  at  St.  Petersburg. 


151 


Mr,  Adams  to  Mr.  Everett. — No.  10. 

Department  of  State,  Washington,  August  8th,  1823. 

.mr  :  At  the  close  of  the  last  Session  of  Congress,  a  reso- 
lution was  adopted,  almost  unanimously,  by  the  House  of  Re- 
presentatives, "  That  the  President  of  the  United  States  be 
requested  to  enter  upon,  nnd  to  prosecute,  from  time  to  time 
such  negotiations,  with  the  several  maritime  powers  of  Eu- 
rope and  America,  as  he  may  deem  expedient,  for  the  effec- 
tual abolition  of  the  African  Slave  Trade,  and  its  ultimate 
denunciation  as  piracy,  under  the  law  of  nations,  by  the  con- 
sent of  the  civilized  world." 

In  pursuance  of-this  resolution,  instructions  for  carrying  it 
into  effect  have  been  given  to  the  ministers  of  the  United 
States,  destined  to  the  Republics  of  Colombia  and  of  Buenos 
Ayres,  and  to  the  several  ministers  of  the  United  States  in 
Europe. 

As  a  negotiation  for  co-operation,  to  effect  the  suppression 
of  the  African  slave  trade,  had  already  been  commenced  with 
Great  Britain,  a  special  instruction  upon  the  subject  has  been 
forwarded  to  Mr.  Rush,  together  with  a  full  power,  and  a 
draft  of  a  Convention  to  be  proposed,  in  substance,  to  the  Bri- 
tish government,  and  which  he  is  authorized  to  conclude. 

A  necessary  preliminary  to  the  conclusion  of  this  proposed 
Convention,  should  it  meet  the  assent  of  the  British  govern- 
ment, will  be  the  enactment  of  a  statute  declaring  the  crime 
of  African  slave  trading,  piracy  by  the  British  law.  In  that 
event,  it  is  proposed,  by  proper  co-oppration,  that  the  influ- 
ence of  the  two  powers  should  be  (ike  r  ted,  to  obtain  the  con- 
sent of  other  nations  to  the  general  outlawry  of  this  traffick, 
as  piracy.  In  the  mean  time  to  give,  at  once,  effect  to  the 
concert  of  both  nations,  it  is  proposed  that  the  armed  vessels 
of  both,  duly  authorized  and  instructed,  shall  have  power  to 
capture  the  slave  trading  vessels  which  may  assume  the  flag 
of  either,  and,  if  not  of  their  own  nation,  to  deliver  over  the 
captured  slav  e  trader  to  the  officers,  or  tribunals  of  his  own 
country,  for  trial  aqd  adjudication. 

This  principle  is  essential,  as  connected  with  that  of  con- 
stituting the  traffick  piracy,  by  the  law  of  nations.  So  long 
as  the  offence  was  considered  as  of  inferior  magnitude,  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States  forbade  the  submission  of  it, 
when  charged  upon  their  citizens  to  any  foreign  tribunal  : 
and  when  the  crime  and  the  punishment  are  aggravated,  to 
involve  the  life  of  the  accused,  it  affords  but  a  more  impera- 
tive inducement  for  securing  to  him  the  benefit  of  a  trial  b\ 
his  countrymen  and  his  peers. 

It  appears  that,  at  the  conferences  of  Verona,  the  propo«i 


152 


iion  was  made  by  the  British  government,  that  the  slave  trade 
should  be  recognised  and  proclaimed  as  piracy  by  the  law  of  na- 
tions. We  have,  therefore,  reason  to  hope,  that  the  proposal 
now  made  to  them,  on  the  part  of  the  United  States,  will  be 
favourably  considered  by  them.  In  that  case,  further  com- 
munications on  the  subject,  with  other  governments,  will 
ensue. 

In  the  mean  time,  to  fulfil  the  intentions  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  in  relation  to  the  Netherlands,  you  will 
communicate  to  their  government  a  copy  of  the  resolution, 
together  with  copies  of  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  prohi- 
biting the  slave  trade,  with  particular  notice  of  the  two  sec- 
tions of  the  act  of  15th  May,  1820,  by  which  the  crime  of 
being  concerned  in  the  African  slave  trade,  when  committed 
by  citizens  of  the  United  Stales,  is  declared  to  be,  and  is  made 
punishable  as  for  piracy.  And  you  will  announce  the  readi- 
ness of  the  American  government,  should  it  suit  the  views  of 
His  Majesty,  the  King  of  the  Netherlands,  to  enter  upon  a 
negotiation,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  into  effect  the  object 
of  the  resolution  of  the  House  of  Representatives  ;  namely, 
the  denunciation  of  the  African  slave  trade  as  piracy,  by  the 
law  of  nations. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your  very  humble  and  obedi- 
ent servant,  JOHN  QUINCY  ADAMS. 

Alexander  H.  Everett,  Esq. 

Charge  d'affaires  U.  S.  to  the  Netherlands 


Extracts  of  a  letter,  JS'o.  6,  from  Mr.  Adams  to  General  Dear- 
horn  ,  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary 
of  the  United  States,  at  Lisbon,  dated 

Department  of  State,  Washington,  August  14,  1323. 
At  the  close  of  the  last  session  of  Congress,  a  resolution 
was  adopted,  almost  unanimously,  by  the  House  of  Represen- 
tatives— 

"  *  That  the  President  of  the  United  States  be  requested 
to  enter  upon,  and  to  prosecute,  from  time  to  time,  such  ne- 
gotiations with  the  several  maritime  powers  of  Europe  and 
America,  as  he  may  deem  expedient,  for  the  effectual  aboli- 
tion of  the  African  slave  trade,  and  its  ultimate  denunciation 
as  piracy,  under  the  law  of  nations,  by  the  consent  of  the  ci- 
vilized world.' 

"  A  negotiation,  for  concerting  measures  of  co-operation  to 
effect  the  suppression  of  the  African  slave  trade,  had  already 
for  . several  years  been  pending  with  Great  Britain  ;  for  which 
reason,  a  special  instruction  has  been  transmitted  to  Mr. 
Rush,  together  with  a  full  power,  and  a  draft  of  a  convention 


153 


to  be  proposed,  in  substance,  to  the  British  government,  and 
which  he  is  authorized  to  conclude. 

"  Should  this  proposal  meet  the  assent  of  the  British  go- 
vernment, a  necessary  preliminary  to  the  conclusion  of  the 
convention  will  be  the  passage  of  an  act  of  Parliament,  de« 
claring  the  crime  of  African  slave  trading,  when  committed 
by  British  subjects,  piracy.  An  act  of  Congress  to  that  effect, 
as  relates  to  citizens  of  the  United  States,  has  been  in  force, 
as  you  are  aware,  these  three  years.  When  the  crime  shall 
have  been  constituted  piracy  by  the  statute  law  of  both  coun- 
tries, each  with  reference  to  its  own  citizens,  or  subjects,  the 
principle  offered  by  the  projected  convention  is,  that  the 
armed  vessels  of  each,  specially  empowered  and  instructed  to 
that  end,  shall  be  authorized  to  capture  slave  trading  vessels, 
assuming  the  flag  of  the  other,  and  to  deliver  over  the  cap- 
tured vessels  to  the  public  cruizers,  or  to  the  tribunals,  of 
their  own  country,  for  trial.  This  plan  is  offered  as  a  sub- 
stitute for  that  which  was  offered  to  us  by  Great  Britain,, 
which  was  predicated  on  the  treaties  already  concluded  be- 
tween that  power  and  Spain,  Portugal,  and  the  Netherlands. 
The  leading  principle  of  these  treaties  was  the  mutual  con- 
cession of  the  right  of  maritime  search,  in  time  of  peace,  to 
the  armed  vessels  of  both,  cruising  for  slave  traders,  and  n 
mixed  court  of  commissioners  and  arbitrators,  sitting  in  colo- 
nial possessions  of  the  parties,  for  the  trial  of  the  delinquents. 
To  this  system  the  Uuited  States  have  steadily  declined  to 
accede,  for  two  reasons  :  One,  because  they  had  an  invinci- 
ble repugnance  to  subject  their  merchant  vessels  to  the  ma- 
ritime search  of  foreign  officers,  in  time  of  peace  ;  and  the 
other,  because  they  could  not  subject  their  citizens  to  the 
jurisdiction  of  foreign  tribunals,  upon  trials  for  offences  against 
their  laws. 

**  At  the  conferences  of  Verona,  the  British  government 
appears  to  have  proposed,  that  the  African  slave  trade  should 
be  declared  piracy  by  the  law  of  nations.  This  is  the  same 
proposition  recommended  by  the  resolution  of  the  House  of 
Representatives  of  the  United  States.  The  ultimate  object 
of  the  United  States,  and  of  Great  Britain,  therefore,  is  the 
same." 

"  The  negotiations  suggested  by  the  resolution  of  the 
House,  must  depend,  materially,  for  their  character  and  pro- 
gress, with  reference  to  other  powers,  upon  the  event  of 
that  which  is  thus  pending  with  Great  Britain.  The  instruc- 
tions to  the  ministers  of  the  United  States  in  other  countries 
have,  therefore,  been  only  of  a  general  characfer." 

"  Portugal  is  the  only  maritime  power  of  Europe,  which 
has  not  yet  declared  the  African  slave  trade,  without  excep- 
U 


154 


tion,  unlawful.  Her  own  internal  situation  has,  perhaps,  re- 
cently  tended  to  diminish  the  influence  of  those  interests,  which 
have  heretofore  prevailed  to  delay  and  postpone  her  acqui- 
escence in  the  principle  of  total  proscription  upon  that  trade  . 
It  is  hoped  that  she  will  not  much  longer  resist  the  predomi- 
nating spirit  of  the  age,  calling  so  loudly  upon  the  Rulers  of 
mankind,  effectually  to  put  down  the  crying  sin  of  that  abomi- 
nable traffic. 

41  In  communicating  to  the  Portuguese  government  copies 
of  the  resolution  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  and  of  the 
laws  of  the  United  States  prohibiting  the  slave  trade,  you  will 
state,  that  the  Government  of  the  United  States  will  be  ready 
to  enter,  at  any  time,  when  it  may  suit  the  views  of  that  of 
Portugal,  upon  the  negotiation  contemplated  by  the  resolu- 
tion/' 


Mr.  Rush  to  Mr.  Adams,  giving  him  the  substance  of  a  converse- 
tion  with  Air.  Canning.  [Extracts.] 

"  London,  October  9,  1823. 

"  This  latter  subject,"  (the  slave  trade)  u  he  said  it  was 
his  wish  to  take  in  hand  with  me  himself,  and  thus  keep  it 
detached  from  the  general  negotiation." 

"  Whilst  we  were  speaking  of  the  mode  of  taking  up  the 
question  of  the  slave  trade,  1  did  not  scruple  to  intimate,  even 
at  this  early  stage,  that  unless  this  Government  was  prepared 
to  say,  that  it  would  cause  a  statute  to  be  passed,  declaring  the 
trade  by  its  own  subjects  to  be  piracy,  and  rendering  it  pun- 
ishable as  such,  in  manner,  as  had  been  done  by  the  United 
States,  that  I  was  not  authorized  to  make  any  proposals  upon 
the  subject ;  that  this,  in  fact,  was  the  only  basis  upon  which 
it  fell  within  the  intentions  of  my  Government  to  attempt  any 
arrangement  of  the  subject  whatever.  1  was  happy  to  hear 
"Mr.  Canning  say,  in  reply,  that  he  did  not,  speaking  from  his 
iirst  impressions,  see  any  insurmountable  obstacle,  upon  this 
score,  to  our  proceeding  with  the  subject/' 


Extract  from  .Vo.  11  of  Mr.  Sheldon,  Charge  d'affaires  of  the. 
United  States  at  Paris,  to  the  Secretary  of  State.  ■ 

"  Paris,  October  16,  1823. 

"  In  the  same  conference,  I  also  informed  Mr.  de  Chateau- 
briand of  the  resolution  of  the  House  of  Representatives  re- 
specting the  slave  trade,  which  made  the  subject  of  your  des- 
patch, No.  2,  ofthe  14th  of  August.  He  repeated,  in  sub- 
stance, what  he  had  before  stated  to  Mr.  Gallatin  in  conver- 
sation, viz.  that  the  French  government  were  sincerely  de- 
sirous of  putting  an  end  to  that  trade,  and  were  taking  all  the 


155 


measures  rn  their  power  to  effect  it  by  pursuing  offenders,  an3 
executing  rigidly  the  laws  now  in  existence  ;  but  that  the 
public  opinion,  generally,  in  France,  and  more  especially  in 
the  Chambers,  was  against  it,  owing  not  only  to  the  preva- 
lence of  the  colonial  interest  in  the  question,  but  particularly 
to  the  circumstances  under  which  their  stipulations  with  Eng- 
land upon  this  subject  had  been  made^  so  tender  were  they 
upon  this  point,  that  the  proposition  of  adding  new  rigors  to 
their  laws,  would  be  taken  as  a  new  concession  to  that  power 
and,  instead  of  being  adopted  in  the  Chambers,  wouldbe  more 
likely  to  provoke  an  attempt  to  repeal  the  prohibitor}'  mes« 
sures  already  established,  in  order  to  rid  themselves,  in  that 
way,  of  one  of  the  charges  imposed  upon  them  by  the  foreign 
occupation  ;  that  time  was  necessary  to  wear  away  these  im- 
pressions ;  and  until  that  should  have  arrived,  no  minister  in 
France  could  be  strong  enough,  upon  this  point,  to  do  more 
than  to  watch  over  the  execution  of  the  laws  already  in  force, 
which  they  were  now  disposed  to  do  fully  and  faithfully,  and 
which,  if  not  entirely  efficient,  at  least  made  the  prosecution 
of  the  trade  under  the  French  flag  hazardous  and  difficult. 

"  At  present,  therefore,  it  is  not  probable  that  France  will 
consent  to  the  proposal  of  the  President,  to  enter  upon  the 
negotiation  contemplated  by  the  resolution  of  the  House  of 
Representatives.  I  have,  however,  made  the  proposal,  in 
obedience  to  your  directions  ;  and  hav  e  the  honour  to  enclose 
a  copy  of  the  letter  to  Viscount  de  Chateaubriand,  in  which 
I  have  communicated  to  him  that  resolution." 


Extracts  from  Afo.  14  of  JUr.  Sheldon,  Charge  d'affaires,  to  the 
Secretary  of  State,  dated 

"  Paris,  November  5,  1823. 

"  I  have  received  answers  from  Viscount  de  Chateaubri- 
and, on  the  subject  of  the  new  and  more  effective  measures 
proposed  against  the  slave  trade.'' 

"  On  the  subject  of  the  slave  trade,  the  answer  manifests  a 
disposition  to  adopt  such  new  provisions  as  may  be  found  ne  • 
cessary  for  its  more  effectual  suppression;  and  this  disposi- 
tion really  exists  ;  but,  after  what  Mr.  de  Chateaubriand  had 
stated  in  conversation,  and  which  1  have  already  communi- 
cated, these  new  and  more  rigorous  legislative  provisions  can 
only  be  introduced  gradually,  and  sometime  will  be  required 
lor  effecting  that  purpose." 

Mr.  Sheldon  to  the  Viscount  de  Chateaubriand. 

Pin  is,  October  15,  1823. 
S«i  The  minister  of  the  United  States  to  this  Court  had, 


156 


sometime  before  he  left  Paris,  transmitted  to  your  Excellency 
copies  of  the  laws  successively  adopted  by  the  United  States 
for  the  suppression  of  the  slave  trade.  This  communication 
was  intended  for  the  special  purpose  of  making  the  French 
government  acquainted  with  the  fact,  that,  so  far  as  the  Uni- 
ted States  were  concerned,  their  legislation  upon  this  subject 
had  been  ineffectual  ;  that  their  laws  had  been  violated,  and 
the  trade  had  continued,  until  they  had  denounced  against  it 
the  highest  punishment  that  a  human  tribunal  can  inflict. — 
Since  it  has  been  declared  to  be  piracy,  and  punishable  with 
death,  the  American  flag  has  no  longer  been  soiled  with  it. 

At  the  last  session  of  Congress,  that  body,  desirous  that 
the  co-operation  of  the  other  maritime  powers  might  be  ob- 
tained in  measures  which  we  had  found  to  be  so  effectual, 
formally  requested  the  President  to  enter  upon,  and  prose- 
cute, negotiations  with  those  powers,  to  that  end.  I  have 
the  honour  to  enclose  a  copy  of  the  resolution  adopted,  with 
great  unanimity,  by  the  House  of  Representatives,  upon  that 
subject :  and  I  am  directed  to  declare,  that  the  President  is 
ready  to  enter  upon  the  negotiation  contemplated  by  it  with 
Fr  nee,  whenever  it  may  be  agreeable  to  her.  Instructions 
to  the  same  effect  have  been  given  to  all  the  ministers  of  the 
United  States  accredited  to  foreign  powers,  and  the  favourable 
results  which  are  ho|)«d  from  them  will  be  made  known  at 
the  earliest  opportunities,  to  the  French  government.  It  may 
be  expected  that  a  co-operation  in  measures  equally  effectual 
with  those  heretofore  brought  forward  for  the  suppression  of 
this  trade,  and  not  open  to  similar  objections,  will  be  general- 
ly and  readily  afforded.  I  beg  to  offer  to  your  Excellency 
Jhe  renewed  assurances.  &c.  &c.  D.  SHELDON. 

[translation.] 
Viscount  de  Chateaubriand  to  Jilr.  Sheldon. 

Paris,  October  29,  132,;,. 

Sir  :  You  did  me  the  honour  of  writing  me,  on  the  15th 
of  this  month,  that  the  Goverment  of  the  United  States  had 
only  attained  the  effectual  suppression  of  the  slave  trade  by 
making  it  piracy,  and  by  rendering  those  guilty  of  it  liable  to 
the  same  punishment.  You  have,  at  the  same  time,  inform- 
ed me,  that  that  Government  was  disposed  to  co-operate  with 
the  other  powers,  by  negotiating  to  attain,  by  the  same  means, 
the  complete  and  general  abolition  of  this  traffic. 

The  communication  which  you  did  me  the  honour  to  ad- 
dress to  me,  cannot  but  deserve  great  consideration.  1  have 
requested  the  Keeper  of  the  Seals  to  review,  with  great 
care,  the  laws  ami  ordinances  which  have  been  made  iu 


157 


France,  for  obtaining  the  abolition  of  the  trade  i  to  certify, 
after  this  examination,  in  what  poinls  they  may  be  insufficient, 
and  to  propose,  for  completing  the  n,  in  case  of  need,  all  the 
new  dispositions  which  might  accord  with  the  independence 
and  rights  of  the  flag,  and  which  might  appear  most  proper 
to  assure,  in  France,  in  an  efficacious  manner,  the  absolute 
cessation  of  a  traffic  so  contrary  to  the  rights  of  humanity. 
Accept,  sir,  the  assurances,  &c. 

CHATEAUBRIAND. 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  Mr.  Everett,  Charge  d'affaires,  to  the 
Secretary  of  Stale,  dated 

"Brussels,  November  20,  1823. 
C!  I  have  received  from  the  Baron  de  Nagell,  a  preliminary 
answer  to  my  note  of  the  7th,  upon  the  slave  trade,  of  which 
I  have  the  honour  to  enclose  a  copy." 

[translation.] 
J\Ir.  Everett  to  Baron  de  NageLl. 

Brussels,  November  7,  1023. 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honour  to  subjoin  to  your  Excellency,  by 
order  of  my  government,  a  printed  copy  of  the  laws  of  the 
United  States,  which  forbid  their  citizens  to  pursue  the  slave 
trade  ;  also,  a  copy  of  the  resolution  of  the  Mouse  of  Re- 
presentatives of  the  8th  of  February,  1323,  by  which  the 
President  is  requested  to  concert,  with  the  maritime  rowers 
of  Europe  and  of  America,  the  measures  which  may  be  most 
proper  to  effect  the  abolition  of  that  trade,  and  to  make  it. 
by  the  universal  consent  of  the  civilized  world,  equivalent 
to  the  crime  of  piracy. 

Your  Excellency  will  remark,  that  it  is  already  viewed  in 
this  light  by  the  laws  of  the  United  States.  The  act  of  15th  of 
March,  IC20,  declares,  (sect.  4  and  3)  that  the  persons  sub- 
ject to  the  jurisdiction  of  the  republic,  who  shall  be  engaged 
in  the  slave  trade,  either  by  seizing  these  unfortunates  by 
force,  or  fraud,  and  carrying  them  on  board  their  vessels,  o* 
by  keeping  them  there,  and  making  them  an  object  of  traffic, 
shall  be  deemed  pirates,  and  punished  with  death. 

In  fact,  tli is  pretended  commerce  bears  all  the  character- 
istics of  piracy  :  that  is,  of  felony  committed  on  the  sea.  And, 
as  it  has  been  denounced  as  a  crime  by  the  greater  part  of 
civilized  nations,  it  ought  to  fall  into  the  particular  class  of 
crimes  to  which  it  naturally  belongs,  and  undergo  the  penal- 
ties which  the  usage  and  the  law  of  nations  impose  upor: 
them.  An  unanimous  declaration  of  the  Christian  powers,  to 
this  effect,  would  inevitably  produce  the  entire  cessation  of 


158 


the  track:.  The  public  ships  of  each  power  would  then  be 
authorized,  by  the  law  of  nations,  to  cruize  against  the  per- 
sons who  might  be  engaged  in  it,  without  regard  to  the  colour 
of  the  flag  with  which  they  might  pretend  to  be  sheltered. 
Whilst,  if  the  trade  is  only  regarded,  in  each  country,  as  an 
offence  against  the  municipal  laws,  it  would  be  lawful  for  any 
one  nation  alone,  by  permitting  it,  to  afford  an  asylum  under 
its  flag,  to  the  pirates  of  all  the  others. 

The  known  character  of  the  King,  and  the  zeal  which  his 
Majesty  has  already  displayed  in  his  efforts  to  bring  about  the 
abolition  of  this  infamous  commerce,  furnishes  a  presumption 
to  the  government  of  the  United  States,  that  that  of  the  Low 
Countries  will  voluntarily  co-operate  with  it  to  that  effect.  In 
communicating  to  your  Excellency  the  subjoined  papers,  and 
in  praying  that  you  will  be  pleased  to  lay  them  before  the  King. 
I  am  charged  to  announce  to  him  the  desire  of  the  President  ot 
the  United  States  to  obtain  the  co-operation  of  his  Majesty 
in  this  work  of  justice,  and  to  establish  a  concert  between 
the  two  powers,  in  the  measures  which  they  may  pursue,  in 
common,  to  render  the  slave  trade  equivalent  to  the  crime  of 
piracy,  by  the  universal  consent  of  the  Christian  world. 

1  eageily  embrace  this  occasion  to  renew  to  your  Excel- 
lency the  homage  of  my  most  distinguished  consideration. 

A.  H.  EVERETT, 


[trakslatiox.] 
Baron  De  A'agcll  to  Mr.  Everett. 

Brussels,  November  13,  l?>2;i. 
Sir  :  I  have  the  honour  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
note  of  the  7th  of  this  month,  containing  some  propositions  in 
regard  to  the  slave  trade,  and  to  inform  you,  that,  without  de- 
lay, I  laid  this  paper,  and  its  enclosures,  before  the  King. 

1  shall  hasten  to  impart  to  you  the  determination  of  his 
Majesty,  as  soon  as  I  shall  have  been  informed  of  it :  and,  in 
the  mean  time,  I  seize  this  opportunity  to  renew  the  assur- 
ance of  my  distmguisned  consideration. 

A.  W.  C.  DE  NAG  ELL. 


159 


N.  B.  The  Annual  Meeting  of  the  American  Colonization 
Society  will  be  held  in  Washington  City,  on  the  second  Satur- 
day in  January.  Of  the  hour  and  place  public  notice  will  be 
given. 

The  Managers  hope  to  commence  the  African  Repository 
on  the  first  of  June.  Those  having  subscription  lists  in  their 
possession,  are  requested  to  forward  them  immediately. 
Communications  for  this  work,  must  be  transmitted  to  R.  R. 
Gurley,  Georgetown. 

It  is  much  to  be  desired  that  collections  should  be  taken 
up  in  the  various  churches  of  this  couutry,  to  aid  the  Ameri- 
can Colonization  Society,  on  the  fourth  of  July,  or  on  the 
Sabbath  next  preceding,  or  succeeding  this  joyful  day. 

The  Colonization  Society  is  about  to  apply  to  the  National 
Government  for  aid.  We  hope  that  all  the  friends  of  this 
institution  will  make  every  possible  effort  in  its  favour,  the 
present  season,  recollectingthat  a  discussion  will  probably  take 
place  concerning  it  daring  the  next  session  of  Congress. 

Orders  for  this  Report  may  be  addressed  to  Davis  and. 
Force,  Washington.    Price  50  cents. 


I 


60 


Census  of  the  Colony  of  Liberia,  July  20,  1823. 


Upwards  of  40. 

N"ame«.  Ar.ivedin.  Occupntion. 

N.  Butler,    Elizabeth,  Carpenter. 
G.  Kiah,       Strong,  Farmer. 
R.  Sampson,  Nautilus,  do. 
L.  Carey,        do.  do. 
I.  Brainier,     do.  Carpenter, 
D.  Hawkins,  Strong,  Labourer. 
A  Edmondson,  do.  Farmer. 
E  Johnson,  Elizabeth,  do. 
James  Fuller,  Oswego. 
J.  D.  Preston,  do. 
Jos.  Blake,    Elizabeth,  Carpenter. 
Oswego, 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 

Fidelity,  Labourer. 


J.  Warner, 
Chs.  Butler, 
B  Johnson, 
L.  Smith, 
I.  Bantam, 
John  Foulke 
John  Harris,  do. 
Saml.  Weeks,  do. 
SamL  N  utter,  do. 

Women. 
S.  Langibrd,  Nautilus,  Nurse. 
Mrs.  Hawkins,  Strong, 
Can'd.  Preston,  Oswego, 
S.  Warner,  do. 
C.  Brown,  do. 

Between  21  and  40. 
L,  Crook,        Elizabeth,  Farmer. 

C.  Brander,  Nautilus,  do. 
J.  Benson,  Strong,  do. 
S.Campbell,    do.  supend- 

ed  June  1,  1823. 
J.  Champer,  Strong,  Blacksmith. 
J.  Gardiner,     do.  Farmer. 
J.  Lawrence,    Elizabeth,  do. 

D.  George,  Strong,  do. 
R.  Newport,    Elizabeth,  do. 

F.  James,  do.  Carpenter. 

A.  James,  do.  Farmer. 

E.  Jackson,        do.  Labourer. 
J.  J.  Barber,    Nautilus,  Mason. 
J.  Carey,  do.  deserted 

July,  1823. 
Th:  Harris,       do.  Caulker. 
A.  Williams,  Oswego. 
R  White,         Oswego,  Carpenter. 
D.  White,  do.  Shoemaker. 

Fr.  Deveny,  do. 
A.  Curtis,  do. 
D.  James,  do. 
5.  W.  Parker,  do. 


Clinton, 
Boggs, 
Stewart, 
Mason, 

Draper, 
Poulson, 
.  Bantam» 
Johnson, 
.  Thompson, 

Butler, 
.  Butler, 
.  Newport, 
Crook, 
James, 
Draper, 
Lawren, 


Oswego, 
do. 
do. 
do. 
Women. 
Oswego, 
do. 
do. 
do.- 
do. 
do. 
do. 

Elizabeth. 

do. 
Strong. 
Elizabeth, 
do. 


Edmondson,  Strong. 


Benson, 
James, 
Johnson, 
Jackson, 
Brander, 
Harris, 


do.  > 

Elizabeth, 
do. 
do. 
do. 

Nautilus. 


Between  10  and  21, 
E.  Smith,  Elizabeth. 
James  Carey,  Nautilus. 
I.  Edmondson,  Strong. 
L.  Johnson,  do. 
C.  Johnson,      Elizabeth - 
L.  Johnson,  do. 
I.  Thompson,  Oswego. 
A   Warner,  do. 
I.  Preston,  do. 
I.  Brown,  do. 
William  Foulke,  Fidelity. 

Females. 
E.  Jackson,  Elizabeth. 
Nancy  Carey,  Nautilus. 
N.  Benson,  Strong. 
E.  Passaway,  do. 
S.  Edmondson,  do. 
M.  Benson,  do. 
I.  Johnson,  Oswego, 
R.  Preston,  do. 
M.  Preston,  do~ 
Mary  Preston,  do. 
L.  Poulson,  do. 
M.  Curlis,  do. 
T.  Thompson,  do. 
M.  Warner,  do. 
E,  Johnson,  do, 
J,  Dolphin,  do, 


161 


Under  10. 

Names.  Arrived  io. 

J.  Benson,  Strong. 
G.  Benson,  do. 
J.  Alexander,  Elizabeth. 
I.  Alexander,  Bom  here. 
A.  Edmondson,  Strong. 
I.  Blake,  do. 
I.  Brander,        Born  here. 

D.  Harris,  Nautilus. 
F.  Stewart,  Oswego. 

-Female  Children. 

E.  Johnson,  Born  in  Africa. 
E.  Blake,  Strong. 


E.  Crook,        Born  in  Africa. 
M.  Laurence,  do. 
G  Laurence,  do. 
E.  Edmondson,  Strong. 
W.  Edmondson,  do. 
R.  Benson,  do. 


S.  Fishex, 
R.  Laurence, 
S.  Draper, 
C.  Preston, 
A.  B.  Butler, 
S.  Warner, 
M.  Warner, 
C.  Dodges, 


do. 

Born  in  Africa 
Oswego, 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 


DEATHS. 

Mrs.  Kiah,  aged  70,  died  fever,  

Major  Draper,  40,  do  - 

Alexander,  33,  Eli**Wtti,  

Mrs.  Blake,  30,  Strong,,...  

Jos.  Benson,  17,  killed  by  enemy,  

Th  :  Spencer,  33,  do.  do  

Mary  Tines,  do.  do  

Th  :  Tines.  28,  Strong,  

Mrs.  Edmondson,  80,  Strong,  

John  Warner,  19,  Oswego,....  

Mrs.  Stewart,  20,  do  

Mrs.  Deveny,  24-,  do  

James  Fuller,  16,  do  

Frs.  Deveny,    4,  do  

Isaiah  Preston,  20,  Oswego,  

Emeline    Deveny,  2  do. . .  

G.  Johnson,  1,  do.....  

M.  D.  Warner,  1,  do.  do  

  Stewart,  born  Oswego,  

Abel  Herd,  42,  Oswego,   

SUMMARY. 

Notv  in  the  Colony. 

Over  40,  Males,  20 — Females.. 

Between  21  and  40,  Males  26 — Females. 
Between  lOand  21,  Males  11 — Females.. 

Under  10,  Males,  9 — Females. 

Total  of  the  Colonists,  

Liberated  Captives,  all  Males, 
Grand  Total, 


September,  1S22. 
c^ptcxrraer,  1622. 
drowned  June,  1822. 
Ptisis,  October,  1822, 
November  11,  1822. 
do. 
do. 

killed  Dec.  1st,  1822, 
Decay,  June,  1323. 
drowned,  June,  1823. 
fever,  June,  1823. 

do.  June,  1823. 

do.   June,  1823. 

do.   July,  1823. 

do.  June,  1823. 

do.   July,  1823. 

do.  June,  1823. 

do.  Ju^o  1823* 

do.  July,  lb23. 

do.   June,  1823. 


..5— Total  25 

,19— do  46 

.16— do. ...27 
,.10— do. ...25 

 ~ 122 

I8 
140 


Deaths  of  Colonists  at  Montserado. 

Persons  over  4  of  both  sexes,...  »   4 

Do  2l  and  under  40  do   5 

Do.  under    21  both  sexes,  »  1 1 

Total  died  since  March,  1822,   20 

J.  ASHMUN. 

N.  B. — Since  this  census  was  taken,  more  than  100  persons  have  sailed 
\n  the  Cyrus. 

V 


J  62 

DONATIONS, 


List  of  Donations  from  the  citizens  of  Baltimore,  in  aid  of  the  Coloni- 
zation Society,  May,  1822.* 

Robert  Miller,  Esq.  90  yards  domestic  cotton,   11  25 

Talbot  Jones,  Esq  25  do.  tow  cloth,   5  00 

Messrs.  Tiffany  and  Wyman,   1  piece,  containing  —  yards  do- 
mestic cotton,   5  50 

Mr.  VVm.  Little,  house  of  Cobb  &  Little,  1  piece  domestic  cotton  5  00 
Messrs.  Shaw  and  Tiffany,  1  piece  domestic  cotton,  containing 

29  1-2  yards   5  50 

Messrs.  Cushing  and  Jewett,  Ewell's  Medical  Companion,   5  00 

Dr.  S.  Sweetser,  assorted  medicines,  •••  5  63 

Drs.  D.«fcC.  Keener,  assorted  medicines,   6  92 

Di.  Goo.  vvur.amson,  assorted  medicines,   9  10 

Ditto  VieW  of  Slavery,  -'   25 

Ditto  Tourtelli's  Principles  of  Health,   5  00 

General  11.  G.  Harper,  school  books  and  books  of  agriculture,....  40  00 

Ditto  other  valuable  books,  maps,  &c   3o  00 

Messrs.  M'Donald  and  Ridgely,  corner  of  Market  and  Howard 

Streets,  2  barrels  of  beef,  price  unknown,..  

Drs.  G.  St  J.  Kearl,  medicines,   2  50 

Drs.  Pease  and  Butler,  medicines,   2  50 

Drs.  E.  Ducatel  &  Son,  assorted  medicines,....   5  95 

Dr.  R.  Little,  corner  of  M.  and  Ha  nr.  streets,  assorted  medicines,  3  9^ 

Dr.  H.  Price,  (opposite  Barnum's)  assorted  medicines,   1  50 

Dr.  La  Roche  and  Milheau,  near  bridge,  medicines,   1  2£ 

Mr.  Joseph  Casey,  Hanover  street,  assorted  garden,  fruit,  and 

other  seeds,   56  00 

Thomas  Smith,  No.  8.  Prate  street,  12  plates,   1  50 

Mr.  Proctor,  Hd.  Ware  Merch.  No.  3  Prate  st.  12  knives  &  forks,  1  50 

Isaac  Tv^>»)  ship  bread,   20  00 

Gon.  Wm.  McDonald,  &  Son,  1  qr.  cask  gun  powder,   5  00 

Ditto  l  box  pipes,   2  50 

Mr   Mears,  No    1,  Prate  st.  1  doz.  knives,  (pocket)   2  00 

Bradford  and  Couch,  1  barrel  flour,   6  75 

Messrs.  H.  Payson  &  Co.  No    15,  Bowley's  wharf,  2  barrels 

beef,  at  #8  50,   17  00 

Gen.  Hollingsworth  and  Sons,  cash,   10  00 

Mr.  Hammers,  Market  street  12  decanters,  12  tumblers,  1  box 

beads,  5  looking-glasses,  ,   12  0Q 

Mr.  I.  Cox,  hatter,  4  hats  at  75  each,   3  00 

Mr.  Egerton,  exchange,  300  lbs.  leaf  tobacco  and  hogshead,   24  00 

Mr.  Hoppe,  Gay  street,  100  lbs.  leaf  tobacco,  ,   8  00 

Mr.  Graffs,        do.        100  lbs.  leaf  tobacco,   8  00 

Messrs.  Von  Kopff  and  Brun,  100  lbs  leaf  tobacco   8  00 

Mr.  Rudewold,  100  lbs.  leaf  tobacco,  T   8  00 

Mr.  Hoger worth,  Gay  street,  100  lbs.  leaf  tobacco,   8  00 

Messrs.  I.  and  A.  Smith,  Calvert,  near  the  water,  some  articles  of 

hardware.   5  50 

Mr.  Kearle,  shoemaker,  Market  street,  6  pair  of  shoes,   6  00 

This  fist  should  have  been  published  at  an  earlier  date. 


163 


Young  Men's  Bible  Society,  Rait.  15  Bibles  and  15  Testaments,  24  Ou 

Mr.  James  Chester,  his  sub.  Md.  Aux.  Col  Society,   25  00 

Col.  Jno.  McHenry,  on  his  subscription  as  above,:..   20  00 

Mrs.  Graham,  cash   3  00 

Mr.  Charles  Salmon,  various  a  rticles  of  merchandise,   4  56 

Mr.  Neelsou,  12  knives  and  forks,   1  50 

Messrs.  J.  &  W.  Smith,  l24  knives  and  forks,....,   3  'JO 

Mr.  Warchi.  100  lbs.  tobacco,  ,   8  00 

The  ladies  of  Baltimore,  about  55  in  number,  from  2  to  6  days 

work  each,  in  making  up  154  garments,  100  00 

Mr.  G.  B.  Raymond,  6  hat<=     4  00 

Mr.  P.  Diffandartter,  cor.  of  Fred,  and  Bait.  8  knives  and  2  pots,    3  Oo 

Ale#.  Boggs,  Market  street,  sundries  merchandise,  price  unknown, 

Mr.  Warner,  comer  Gay  and  Market  st.  stationery  and  books,..     8  00 

Gen  Kidgeley,  Gay  street,  6  bars  iron,  frt   9  00 

Mr.  N.  Tyson,  Spears'  wharf,  on  his  subscription,   25  00 

Beck  and  Welch,  2  pieces  containing  9    yds.  red  flannel,   20  50 

Mr.  Baltzell,  Market  st.  No.  241,  remnants  of  merchandise,   1  75 

Mr.  Baltzt  ll,  do.  230,  merchandise,  16  check  hdkfs....  150 

Mr.  Baltzell,         do.  236,  do.  16  check  handkerchiefs,.. ..    2  00 

Mr.  Robinson,  Howard  street,  delivered  cedar  ware,   4  25 

Mr.  Solman,  do.  delivered  remnant  merchandise,...    2  50 

Mr.  Bryne,  do.  delivered  pair  shoes,   1  00 

John  E.  Rigden,  Market,  No.  197,  delivered  knives,  and  forks, 

and  spoons,   1  50 

Mr.  Sweetser,  Market,  No.  150,  delivered  remnants  merchandise,     1  9* 

Jacob  Albers,  Howard,  delivered  1  dozen  jack  kni'-"-  ♦        *  ®® 

Wm.  Reanie,  Great  York  street,  deliver        dozen  plates,   25 

Drs.  Coulter  and  Martin,  1  bntiic  mercurial  ointment,   2  60 

Mr.  Earnest,  a  variety      Mueens  ware  articles,   5  00 

Col.  John  E.  Howctrd,  don.  plaid  22  1-4  yards,  28  shirting,  9  1-2 

calico,  8  lidkfs   12  82 

Also  3  dozen  spoons,  t   3  00 

3  dozen  tin  cups,   3  00 

3  stew  pans,   1  00 

Mr.  Lamson,  delivered  1  hat,   75 

Sunday  School  Society,  (  elivered  cards,  &c.  for  Sunday  schools, 

Samuel  Hoffman,  Esq.  box  leaf  tobacco,   10  00 

Ditto.  Marked  tobacco  samples,   12  00 

Messrs.  Murray,  &  Co.  2  pieces  linen   6  00 

Ditto  1  do.  flannel,  2  50   2  50 

Ditto  5  Blankets  at  75,   4  50 

Mr.  Middleton,  I  gross  buttons,   1  00 

Mr .  Taylor,  auctioneer,  merchandise,   5  00 

Mr.  Sinclair,  garden  and  other  seeds,   10  00 

Mr.  Skinner,  do.   6  00 

Mr.  Laud,   1  00 

Messrs.  E.J.  Coale,  &  Co.  books,  boxes,  &c.  A:c   40  00 

Editors  of  the  Morning  Chronicle,  and  editors  of  the  Federal  Re- 
publican, two  valuable  files  of  the  latest  newspapers. 

Donations  received  in  Baltimore  in  April,  1823. 
From  a  lady,   1  00    A  lady,   *  00 


A  lady,   2  00 

S.  R.  Keane,   1  50 

Collection  in  Rev.  Mr.  Ne- 

vin's  church,  40  00 

Mr.  Patterson,   1  00 


Citizens  of  the  eleven"'  ward,43  00 
Citizens  in  the  te-'ih  ward, ..35  0 

A  lady,   2  00 

Another  l^y>   1  00 

A  gentleman,   1  On 


164 


Thomas  George  and  Thomas, 
various  articles  given  to 

Abel  Herd,  45  00 

Mr.  John  Barr,  one  piece  of 

cloth  60  00 

Messrs.  Shaw  and  Tiffany,..  5  00 
Wm.  VV.  Taylor,  one  box 
merchandise  and  goods, 

Brundige  Vose,  &  Co   3  00 

Cash,   50 

Cash,   i 

Mr.  Creery's  school,   1  70 

Made  up  by  the  Ladies,  100 
shirts,  50  roundabouts,  and 

50  waistcoats,  50  00 

Nightengale  &  Co.  hardware 

merchants,   2  25 

Donations  received  in  the  District 

of  (Jolumbia. 
Collection    in   Dr.  Balch's 

church,  Georgetown,  35  00 

In  Dr.Wilmer's  church,AlexllO  00 
In  this  sum  are  included  the 

following    dona  ions  and 

annual  su bsc r iptio ns  : 

Judge  Cranch,    30  00 

Miss  Lanrionia  Randolph,...  10  on 

Wm.  H.  Fitzhugh,  Esq  10  00 

Mrs.  Custis  (Arlington)   7  00 

Annual  Subscribers. 

Hugh  Smith,   1  00 

E.  I.  Lee,   1  0o 

Humphrey  Peak,   1  00 

R.  C.  Mason,   5  00 

C.  C.  Lee,   1  00 

G.  W.  P.  Custis,  Esq   1  00 

Donalio7is  received  from  various  in- 
dividuals in  Washington  and 
Georgetown. 

3.  P.  Fenner,   1  00 

Rev.  Daniel  Baker,   I  CO 

Gideon  Davis,   1  00 

John  Bailey,     2  .  0 

Thomas  L.  Thruston,   1  00 

S.  Pleasonton,   2  00 

Thomas  Mustin,   1  00 

J-^nes  Moore,   1  00 

Alexander  McDonald,   1  00 

John  VVt^Hiside,   3  00 

Cash,   2  00 

J.  McCleery,....   2  00 

John  S.  Shaw,   2  00 

Richard  Harrison,...,   2  00 


John  Coyle,  jr   6  00 

Mr.  King,   2  00 

Cash   75 

G.  W.  P.  Custis,  Esq  ...10  00 

Dr.  Carnahan,   2  0 

A  young  lady,  2  00 

Miss  Dicks,  a  suit  of  clothes 

for  the  Agent  in  Africa,.. 

A  lady  near  Fredericktown, 

Md  10  00 

;„tan  Meade,  Frede- 
rick county,  Va  .100  00 

Two  valuable  pieces  of  can-  • 
non,  from  Gen.  John  Ma- 
son, (District  of  Columbia. 

List  of  Donations  received  by  the . 

Rev.  L.  D.  Dewey,  of  the  stale 

of  New-York,  1823. 

Col.  Henry  Rutgers,  l00  00 

The  annual  subscription  of 

the  same  gentleman  for  5 

years,  50  00 

Catharine  Disseyster  25  00 

H.  Remsen,   5  00 

Jonathan  Little  10  00 

George  Gallagher,  10  00 

Gen.  Mathew  L.  Clarkson,..25  00 

T.  w.  Stein brenner,  15  00 

Wm.  Smitn,   5  00 

A  F  riend   1  00 

A  coloured  female,..   1  00 

J.  Seymour,  2  00 

A  collection  in  the  Congrega- 
tional Church  and  Society 

in  Lanesboro1  Mass.  on  the 

4th  July,  1823,   5  00 

A  collection  in  the  Congrega- 
tional Church  and  Society 
Great  Barrington,  Mass. 
4  July,  1823,   8  21 

Collection  in  the  Reformed 
Fresh.  Ch.  N.  Y.  Nov.  29, 
1823.........  11  50 

Do.  cash  from  2  individuals,   1  00 

John  Brown,   2  00 

Rev.  John  Johnson,  New- 
burgg,  N.  Y.  by  ladies  of 
his  society,  30  00 

Rev.  Nathan  Bangs,  N.  Y.  by 
young  ladies  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church,. ...30  00 

Rev.  Gardner  Spring,  by  la- 
dies of  his  Society,  30  00 

Eliza  Woodruf,  Morristown, 

N.  J  10  00 


165 


Thomas  Bassel,  Lansingburg, 
N.  Y   5  00 

Received  in  New- England  by  the 
Rev.  Chester  Wright. 

From  a  few  friends  of  the  So- 
ciety in  Boston,...  62  00 

From  a  few  friends  of  the  So- 
ciety in  Salem,  40  00 

Donations  mentioned  by  J. 
McPhail,  Esq.  Treasurer 
of  the  Norfolk  Auxiliary 
Society  : 

From  Wm.  Maxwell,  Esq... .50  00 

Do.  do.  Collections  made  by 

him,  126  50 

From  Rev.  Sam.  Cornelius, 
for  collections  made  by 
him,  20  00 

Ditto    3  50 


Total  200  00 

Donations  of  one  dozen  men's 
shoes,  and  one  dozen  wo- 
men's, by  Geo.  Wilson,  of 
Smithfield,  in  the  hands 
of  J.  McPhail. 

The  following  sums  have  been  re- 
cently acknowledged  by  the  Trea- 
surer, in  the. National  Intelligen- 
cer : 

From  the  Rev.  Charles  H. 
Page,  of  Charlostown,  Va. 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ilawley,  15  00 

From  Obcd.  Waite,  Esq.  Tr. 
of  the  Aux.  Soc.  Frederick 
county,  Va   275  00 

From  Rev.  Win.  McKcnney, 
for  the  Aux.  Soc.  of  Queen 
Ann's  county,  Md  100  00 

From  Rev.  George  W.  Jan- 
vier, Salem,  New-Jersey, 
collected  in  his  church,.. ..  5  00 

from  Rev.  Joseph  Caldwell, 

Chapel  Hill,  N.  Carolina,  10  00 

From  Rev.  C.  Hyde,  Doyles- 

town,  Penn  10  Oo 

XT  For  donations  not  mentioned  in  th 
Acco 


From  Rev.  Jos.  Smith,  Har- 
risonburg, Va  .....20  ou 

From  Rev.  Alex.  Irvine,  Ma- 
lone,  New- York,  ,20  00 

From  A.  Smith,  per  Mr.  Un- 
derwood, ....10  00 

From  G.  W.  P.  Custis,  Esq. 

annual  subscriber,-..   5  00 

For  proceeds  of  work  done  by 
female  teachers  of  Taney 
town,  Md  Sunday  school,  20  00 

From  David  J.  Burr,  to  con- 
stitute Rev.  Jesse  H.  Tur- 
ner a  member  for  life, .....20  00 

From  a  lady,   \ 

From  Rev.  Benj.  J.  Lowe,  of 

Johnsonburg,  N.  Jersey,..  8  00 

From  Rev.  W.  Meade,  hi 
part  of  a  legacy  left  by  his 
sister,  Lucy  F.  Meade, ..750  Oo 

From  Rev.  Mr.  A.Shiun,....  3  00 

From  Jno.  Husks,  Esq.  Trea- 
surer of  the  Aux.  Soc.  Fay- 
etteville,  N.  Carolina, ...,.48  00 

From  Abner  McGreehee,  of 
Georgia,  per  the  Hon.  Wi- 
ley Thompson,  20  00 

From  the  Richmond  Auxili- 
ary Society,..  192  00 

From  the  Fayettcville  Soc. .48  CO 

From  the  charity  box  of  a 
young  lady  in  the  District, 
per  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gurley,   4  75 

From  Th.  Tarbell,  Esq.  Bos- 
ton, collections  taken  up  in 
consequence  of  a  circular 
letter,  500  fjO 

From  Dr.  William  H.  Wil- 
mer,  per  Rev.  Mr.  Haw- 
ley  212  00 

From  Rev.  John  H.  Church, 

D.  D  of  Pelham,  N.  H....  2  00 

Hon.  Arthur  Livermore,          5  00 

William  Slade.jun    1  oO 

Hon.  James  T.  Sand  ford,  of 

Tennessee,  for  life,  'JO  00 

A  stranger,  10  00 

e  above  list,  refer  to  the  Treasurer's 
tint. 


166 

LIST  OP  SOCIETIES 


AUXILIARY  TO  THE  AMERICAN  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY'- 


MARYLAND  AUXILIARY  SOCIETY, 
(established  in  Baltimore.) 
Col.  John  Eager  Howard,  President. 
Vice-Presidents. 

Gen.  Robt.  Goodloe  Harper....  I  Hon.  Chief  Justice  Bruce. 

Gen.  Wm.H.  Winder  |   

Luke  Tiernan,  Treasurer.  Edward  J.  Coale,  Secretary, 


NEW-YORK  AUXILIARY  SOCIETY. 
Col.  Henry  Rutgers,  President. 
Vice-Presidents. 

1st,  Col.  William  Few   I  3d,  Mr.  Divie  Bethune,  , 

2d,  Rev.  Alexander  M'Leod,  D.  D..  '  4th,  Rev.  Philip  Milledoler,  D.  D 

Mr.  Crove  Wright,  Treasurer. 

Rev.  Paschal  N.  Strong,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

John  B.  Beck,  M.  D.  Recording  Secielary. 

Loring  D.  Dewey,  Agent  of  the  General  Society. 

AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  ANNAPOLIS. 

J.  T.  Chase,  President. 
Vice-Presidents. 


1st,  William  Kilty  

2d,  Thomas  Blarkistone  

3d,  William  Spencer  

4th,  Peter  Emmerson  

5th,  C.  Dorsey  

6th,  Dr.  Thomas  Johnson.... 

7th,  William  Hayward  

8th,  James  Murray  

9th,  Benjamin  W.  Lecompte, 


11th,  Win.  D.  Diggess..  .. .. 

12th,  Wm.  R.  Stuart  

13th,  Ephraim  K.  Wilson  

14th,  R.  B.  Taoey  

15th,  Charles  S.  Sewall  , 

16th,  William  Hughlett  

17th,  Thomas  Kennedy  ,., 

1 8th,  George  C.  Washington, 
1 9th.  James  Tidball  , 


A.  C  Magruder,  Secretary  |  Jonathan  Pinkney,  Treasurer, 
John  Brewer,  Recorder. 


AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  FREDERICK  COUNTY,  VA. 
Nathaniel  B unveil,  President. 
Obed.Waite  Treasurer,.,,,.,,..  \  Augustine  C.  Smith,  Secretary 


167 


AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY,  MD. 


AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  HARPER'S  FERRY,  VA, 
John  Stubkl«-flciu,  ri  cziuc/u. 
Vice-Presidents. 

William  M'Guire  I  Edward  Wager 

Armistead  Beckham   |  ...  ........Roger  Humphreys. 

Jacob  Wark,  Treasurer......  |  ....John  P.  M'Guire,  Secretary. 


AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  LOUDON  COUNTY,  VA. 

John  Mines,  President. 
Vice-Presidents. 


Samuel  Murray...  .....Sydney  Baily. 

Ludwell  Lee  Johnson  Cleavelarid, 

Israel  Janney  Burr  Powell. 

James  Moore..  ..........James  Heaton. 

Mahlon  Taylor  William  Elzey. 

Samuel  Nichols  William  Noland. 

Isaac  Brown  

R.  D.  Henderson,  Treasurer  |  Richard  H.  Lee,  Secretary' 


AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  CHARLXSTOWN,  JEFFERSON 
COUNTY,  VA.* 
Dr.  Samuel  I.  Gramer,  President. 
Vice-Presidents, 


Bushrod  C.  Washington! 

Adam  Weaver  

Henry  S.  Turner  


,....John  T.  A.  Washington. 
....George  W.  Humphreys. 
.....Nathaniel  Craighill. 


Root.  Washington,  Treasurer  |  ....John  Marshall,  Secretary. 


AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  SHEPHERDSTOWN,  VA. 
James  S.  Lane,  President. 

Vice  President  John  Baker. 

John  Cookus,  Treasurer  — ..Kev.  C.  P.  Kranth,  Secretary. 


Hon.  Daniel  Smith,  President. 

Vice-Presidents. 

Dr.  Peachy  Harrison  I  Rev.  Daniel  Baker. 

Major  Joh  n  Kenny  |  Col.  Samuel  H.Lewis. 

Ravid  Steele,   Treasurer  J  Dr.  Pea:hy  Harrison)  ^ecn(arks 

  j  James  M   Bush  \ 


168 


AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  YORK,  PENN 

Jacob  Barnitz,  President. 
Vice-Presidents 

Geerge  Uarmtz..  |   r<n  ob  Eichelberger. 

John  Schmidt,  Treasurer  |  ..John  Gardiner,  Secretary. 


AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  HARTFORD,  CONN. 


AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  IN  NEW  LONDON,  VA. 
Rev.  John  Early,  President. 
Vice-Presidents. 
James  Stephen,  Sen.  |  .  ..........  Col.  John  Wall. 


AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  PRINCE  GEORGE  COUNTY,  MD. 
John  Johnson.  President, 
Vice-Presidents. 

James  R.  Montgomery  {  Doctor  Joseph  Kent. 

T.  Tyler,  Treasurer  |  ...Edward  Harwood,  Secretary , 


AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  GREENSBOROUGH,  N.  C. 

George  Swain,  President. 

Vice-Presidents. 

David  Worth   I   .Jonathan  Hadley. 

Jacob  Hubbard.   |  ........Abel  Coffin. 

James  Johnson,  Treasurer  |  John  M.  Dick.  Secretary. 

AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  CHAPEL-HILL. 
Rev.  Joseph  Caldwell,  D.  D.  President. 
Vice-Presidents. 

Major  P.  Henderson  Wm.  M'Cawley  Robert  R.  King. 

Thomas  H.  Taylor,  Treasurer....  \  William  Hooker,  Sec retary. 


AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  FAYETTE VILLE,  N,C. 
John  Wenslow,  President, 
Duncan  M'Le van," Vice-President. 
James  Cameron,  Treasurer. 


Rev.  G.  Bedel, 
Rev.  W.  D.  Snodgrass 


,1 


Secretaries. 


169 


AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  RALEIGH,  N.  C 
John  Branch,  Esq.  President. 
Vice-Presidents. 

Col.  William  Polk..  I  ..Hon.  Leonard  Henderson, 

Hon.  John  L.  Taylor..  j  ..Archibald  Henderson,  Esq 

Daniel  Dupree,  Treasurer  \  Joseph  Gales,  Secretary. 

AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  AUGUSTA,  Geo. 


AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  MILLEDGEVILLE,  Geo. 

AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  PUTNAM  Co.  Geo, 
Hon.  C.  B.  Strong,  President. 
3.  A.  Cuthbert,  Vice-President. 
John  Hudson,  Treasurer.,,...  |   Wm.  Turner,  Secretary. 


AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  MAYSVILLE,  Ky. 
Rev.  VVni.  Grinsted,  President. 
Vice-Presidents. 

George  Corcorin  j   .Lawrence  Cahilk 

Plato  Stout,  Corresponding  Secretary. 
Ennis  Duncan,  Jr.  Recording  Secretary. 
Richard  Dement,  Treasurer. 


AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  NORFOLK. 
James  Nimmo,  President. 
Vice-Presidents 

Seth  Foster   |   Richard  E.  Parker, 

William  Maxwell,  Secretary. 


AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  PETERSBURG,  VA 
Dr.  Richard  Field,  President. 
Vice-Presidents. 
John  F.  May,   J  Rev.  Andrew  Syme, 


Gabriel  P.  Dissosway,  Treas..  |  ..Thomas  Shore,  Secretary 


AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  PORTSMOUTH,  VA. 


AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  RICHMOND,  VA. 
Hon.  John  Marshall,  Clnef  Justice  of  the  U.  S.  President. 
V  t  Presidents. 
His  Excellency  James  Pleasants,  1st  Vice  Pres. 
James  Gibbon,  2nd  Vice  Pres. 
Thomas  C.  Howard,  Secretary.  |  Benjamin  Brand,  Esq.  Treasure 

>  w 


170 


ALBANY  AUXILIARY  SOCIETY,  N.  Y. 

Harmannus  Bleecker,  President. 
Vice-Presidents. 

John  Lansing,  jun   J  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer. 

Ebenezcr  F.  Backus,  Treasurer.  |  ....Benjamin  F.  Butler,  Secretary^ 


HUDSON  AUXILIARY  SOCIETY,  N.  Y. 
Hon.  Rufus  Reed,  President. 
Vice-Presidents. 

Rev.  Cyrus  Stebbins  [  ..    Doct.  Samuel  White. 

Rev.  Howard  Malcom,  Secretary,  j  John  Bowers,  Esq.  Treasurer. 

AUXILIARY  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY  OF  DUTCHESS  COUN 
TY,  N.  Y. 

Philo  Ruggles,  Esq.  President. 

Vice-Presidents. 

George  Bloom  I   Abraham  G.  Storm. 


John  L.Fonda  |  Henry  Conklin. 

lohn  V.  B.  Varick,  Cor.  Sec^y..  J  ....Mathew  Yassar,  Rec.  Sec'y. 
Alfred  Raymond,  Treasurer. 


AUXILIARY  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY,  TROY. 
Col.  William  Pawling,  President.  J  Orville  L.  Holly,  Secretary 

AUXILIARY  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY,  WATERFORD. 

Samuel  Stuart,  President  |  Rev.  M.  W.  Dwight,  Secretary. 


NASSAU  AND  SCHODAC  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY. 
Warner,  Esq.  President  |  Samuel  B.  Ludlow,  Esq.  Secretary- 

AUXILIARY  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY,  CATSKILL 
Orin  Day,  President  |  Robert  Dorian,  Secretary. 


AUXILIARY  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY,  HILLSDALE. 

Adonijah  Bid  well,  Esq.  President.,  |  Rev.  Henry  Truesdell,  Secretary. 


AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  FREDERICK  COUNTY,  IN  THE 
STATE  OF  MARYLAND. 

John  Grahame,  President. 

Vice-Presidents. 

Rev.  David  F.  Schaeffer  John  Dudders. 


Henry  Willis  

Ignatius  Davis.....  

Wm.  Morsell  

John  Cole,.  

Henry  Doyle,  Treasurer ... 


.James  Terrance. 
.Lewis  Motter. 
.Andrew  Shriver. 


...  Lewis  Medtart,  Secretary* 


171 


WILMINGTON,  (DEL.)  AUXILIARY  SOCIETY. 
Rev.  R.  Williston,  President. 
Vice  Presidents. 

Rev.  John  Potts  |   Rev.  S.Green. 

James  A.  Sparks,  Secretary.,  \  ..Edward  Worrell,  Treasures. 

WILMINGTON  FEMALE  AUXILIARY  SOCIETY,  (DEL. 
Miss  Elizabeth  Montgomery,  First  Directress. 

Mrs.  A.  M.  McMullin  |  ....Mrs.  Lydia  M.  Gilbert. 

Miss  A.  H.  Danagh,  Secretary.  |  Miss  Sarah  Black,  Treasurer. 

AUXILIARY  SOCIETY  OF  QUEEN  ANN'S  COUNTY,  (MD. 
Richard  T.  Earle,  President. 
Vice-Presidents. 

Wm.  Carmichael,  Esq.. 

John  P.  Pacha  

Wm.  Hemsley  


Dr.  John  Davidge  Emory,  Sec'ry. 


.John  Tilgham. 
.George  Findley, 


Philomon  B.  Hopper,  Treasurtr. 


AUXILIARY  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY  OF  KENT  COUNTY, 
MARYLAND. 
Wm.  Barrell,  Esq.  President. 
Vice-Presidents. 

James  Bowers   .  ....Edward  Anderson,  Esq. 

C.  F.Chambers   ..  ,.U.  Ar^er,  Esq. 

Thomas  Worrell,  Esq   |  ....Rev.  Wm.  Jackson. 

J.  B.  Eccleston,  Secretary  J  R.  Ringold,  Treasurer. 


AUXILIARY  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY  OF  DORCHESTER 
^  COUNTY,  MARYLAND. 

*  Joseph  E.  Muse,  President 

Vice-President. 

Charles  Goldsborough,  Esq. 

James  Chaplaine,  Esq.  Treasurer.  \  James  Bryan,  Esq.  Secretary. 


AUXILIARY  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY  OF  THE  STATE  OF 
VERMONT. 
The  Hon.  Charles  Marsh,  President. 
Vice-Presidents. 

His  Excellency  C.  P.  Van  Ness....  |   His  Hon.  Aaron  Leland. 

Directors. 

....Rev.  Joel  Winch. 


Hon.  Chauncey  Langdon,... 

Hon.  J.  D.  Farnsworth  

Rev.  Jasper  Hazen,  

Hon.  JeuduthamLpomis,7Ve<wwrer. 


....Hon.  Zerah  Willougbby. 
....Rev.  Chester  Wright. 

Rev.  Leonard  Worcester,  Secretary 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

Page* 

Officers   3 

Proceedings  at  the  Sixth  Anniversary  ,   5 

Report   19 

Statement  of  the  Treasurer's  Account   44? 

Statements  of  Mr.  Gurley's  Account   48 

Appendix,  Papers  A    49 

Mr.  Ashmun  to  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy   49 

Ditto   51 

Ditto  to  Captain  Spence..   52 

Captain  Spence  to  Mr.  Ashmun   54 

Dr.  Ayres  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy   55 

Captain  Spence  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy   57 

Dr.  Ayres  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy   62 

Captain  McCoy  to  Captain  Spence   63 

Lieut.  Habanger   64 

Papers  B   ,  64 

Extracts  from  Dr.  Ayres'  Letters  64 

Some  account  of  Campelar   66 

Address  of  the  Board  of  .Managers  published  in  August,  1823   67 

Paper  C  71 

Paper  D  ;  71 

Extracts  from  Mr.  Ashmun's  Letters,  dated  Monrovia,  May  15,  1823  71 

Paper  E   75 

Review  of  the  Reports  of  the  Colonization  Society  first  published  in 
the  Christian  Spectator   75 

Papers  F  •  104 

Extracts  from  tne  Report  of  the  New- York  Society  104 

Calculations  from  the  New- York  Statesman  105 

Extract  from  a  Letter  from  the  Rev.  L.  D.  Dewey  10S 

Paper  G. 

Letter  from  Rev.  William  McKenney  i   ,  .Ifj9 

Paper  H. 

General  Harper's  Report.  ..Ill 

Paper  1. 

Dr.  Ayres'  Letter  to  Mr.  Caldwell  115 

Paper  K. 

Dr.  Ayres  to  the  Abolition  Society  116 

Communications  from  the  President  to  Congress,  containing  corres- 
pondence concerning  the  Slave  Trade  119 

Mr.  Canning  to  Mr.  Adams  t  120 

Mr.  Adams  to  Mr.  Canning  123 

Mr.  Canning  to  Mr.  Adams  125 

Mr.  Adams  ro  VI  r.  Canning  130 

Mr.  Adams  to  Mr.  Nelson,  (Extract)  136 

Same  to  Mr.  Rodney,  ....do  136 

Same  to  Mr,  Anderson,,.., ..do  137 


173 


iame  to  Mr.  Rush,  with  one  enclosure  ;  Convention  Slave  Trade, 


(Extract)  137 

Same  to  Mr.  Middleton,  (Copy)  149 

Same  to  Mr.  Everett  do  151 

Same  to  Gen  Dearborn,  (Extracts),  ..,.152 

Mr.  Rush  to  Mr.  Adams,  (Extracts)....,  154 

Mr.  Sheldon  to  same  do  15* 

Same  to  same,  with  two  enclosures;  correspondence  with  Viscount 

Chateaubriand,  (Extracts)  155,  156 

Mr.  Everett  to  Mr.  Adams,  with  two  enclosures  ;  correspondence 

Baron  JSagell,  (Extracts)  157 

Census  of  the  Colony  taken  July  21, 1823  160 

Donations  ■  ,.162 

List  of  Auxiliary  Societies,...,  1&6 


r 


« 


Proposals,  for  publishing,  by  subscription,  under 
the  direction  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the 
American  Colonization  Society,  a  monthly. period- 
ical work,  to  be  entitled  the 

AFRICAN  REPOSITORY,  AND  COLONIAL  JOURNAL. 


The  deep  and  increasing  interest  which  is  felt  in  many 
parts  of  this  country,  on  the  subject  of  the  efforts  to  Colonize 
the  free  people  of  colour  of  the  United  States,  on  the  African 
coast,  has  induced  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Coloniza- 
tion Society,  to  propose  the  establishment  of  a  periodical 
work,  which  shall  furnish  the  public  with  accurate  informa- 
tion concerning  the  plans  and  prospects  of  their  Institution ; 
give  a  minute  account  of  its  operations,  and  of  the  condition 
and  progress  of  the  colony  ;  communicate  any  new  and  inter- 
esting intelligence  which  may  be  received,  relating  to  the 
Geography,  Natural  History,  Manners  and  Customs  of  Africa; 
and  admit  into  its  pages,  such  essays  as  may  be  thought  cal- 
culated to  advance  the  interests  of  the  Colony,  or  the  cause 
of  African  improvement,  as  well  as  select  passages  from  au- 
thors who  have  already  written  on  this  subject;  and  impor- 
tant extracts  from  the  Reports  of  such  foreign  Associations  as 
are  making  exertions  to  suppress  the  Slave-Trade,  or  relieve 
the  African  race. 

CONDITIONS. 

I.  The  work  shall  comprise  thirty-two  pages  in  each  num- 

ber, and  shall  be  similar  in  paper,  and  in  the  style  ot 
execution,  to  the  Christian  Observer. 

II.  The  price  shall  be  two  dollars  a  year,  payable  on  the 

delivery  of  the  sixth  number. 

III.  Those  who  shall  become  responsible  for  six  copies,  shall 

receive  a  seventh  gratis. 
fV.  The  work  will  be  commenced  whenever  the  number  of 
Subscribers  shall  be  sufficient  to  justify  it.  It  is  ear- 
nestly requested,  therefore,  that  those  who  may  obtain 
Subscribers,  should  forward  their  lists  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible, to  R.  R.  Gl/RLEY.  Agent  of  the  Society,  Gcorg* 
Town. 


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